Colorectal cancer screening

Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumour that grows for years without causing any grievances. This type of cancer can be detected at an early stage before it becomes malignant.

60-69-year-old men and women can participate in colorectal cancer screening every two years.

In 2024, men and women in the years 1956, 1958, 1960, 1962 and 1964. are invited for cancer screening.

Screening is free of charge (including to uninsured patients).

Colorectal cancer examinations are also performed outside the screening. If you have any complaints, turn to your GP who will refer you for additional testing, if necessary.

Start with your GP

• Your GP or nurse will provide you with a stool sample kit comprising a sample container, a leaflet, a form and an envelope with prepaid postage. You can collect the sample in your own home and send it to the lab indicated on the leaflet.
• If occult blood is discovered in the sample, you must have a colonoscopy. Your family physician will issue a referral to this end.

Colonoscopy

• A colonoscopy is performed to check the large intestine. If necessary, the examination is used to take biopsies from the large intestine or remove benign pre-cancer growths known as polyps.
• Both of these procedures are usually painless, but medicinal products are used if you feel discomfort during the procedure. If medicinal products are used, it is not recommended to drive immediately after the examination.
• If any pathological changes are detected in the intestine, a follow-up appointment is arranged to go over the examination results and cover subsequent monitoring or treatment options.

Call 620 7077 to register for a colorectal cancer colonoscopy. More information about the examination and counselling are available on the same telephone number Mon-Fri from 08.00–16.00.

More information on colorectal cancer screening is available on the website of the Health Insurance Fund.