Europacolon Portugal and Farmácias Holon have launched a new awareness campaign called “Don’t Let It Unfold”, offering free screenings for colorectal cancer in 61 pharmacies across Portugal.
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common and deadly cancers in Portugal, with over 10,000 new cases diagnosed each year and an average of 13 deaths per day due to the disease.
In line with ONCOSCREENs goals, this campaign aims to raise awareness about early colorectal cancer and the impact that screening has on decreasing the related mortality rates. In the awareness raising efforts, the campaign seeks to inform the public about colorectal cancer, its symptoms, and the importance of paying attention to them.
This campaign kicked off on the 30th of September, as a part of World Digestive Cancer Day. Vítor Neves, President of Europacolon Portugal, a partner organization for ONCOSCREEN, highlights that “this screening brings significant health benefits and can prevent the disease from advancing to later stages or make therapeutic intervention more effective. […]. Through early diagnosis and by encouraging people to take an active role in their health, increasing their knowledge in this area and changing behavioral habits, we can significantly alter these outcomes”.
According to the National Program for Oncological Diseases, from Portugal’s Directorate-General of Health, colorectal cancer screening has helped reduce mortality by approximately 16%. Therefore, it remains a national and European priority in combating morbidity and mortality associated with these cancers. While this campaign is limited to Portugal, it lays the groundwork for ONCOSCREEN to support the roll-out of similar campaigns in other countries.
To learn more about this screening drive, you can head to EuropaColon’s LinkedIn page or contact:
Sofia Silva, Head of Communications
+351 914 876 964
Email | sofiacoelhosilva@gmail.com
Vítor Neves, President of the Board
+351 915 726 695
Email | vitor.neves@europacolon.pt
