Screening is one of the most effective tools at our disposal to reduce the burden of colorectal cancer, and ONCOSCREEN aims to improve the potential of screening even further. However, language discordance between screening invitations and their recipients may hinder the success of such efforts.

This study, set in the Belgian region of Flanders, aimed to investigate whether the language spoken at home is associated with the response rate to colorectal cancer screening invitation and colorectal cancer screening coverage on the town level. We found that screening response rates and coverages are lower in towns with a higher proportion of non-Dutch speakers. More specifically, the proportion of Dutch speakers was positively correlated and the proportion of French speakers negatively correlated with the screening indicators. Furthermore, towns near or bordering a French-speaking region (Wallonia, Brussels or France) performed worse in terms of screening than towns further away from these regions. Our findings suggest that language may be a barrier to colorectal cancer screening for eligible inhabitants of Flanders, and interventions aimed at optimizing screening participation should take this factor into account.

To read this paper, click here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13690-025-01541-3?utm_source=rct_congratemailt&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=oa_20250325&utm_content=10.1186%2Fs13690-025-01541-3