(HealthNewsDigest.com) – LONDON, March 1, 2012 — European Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month (ECCAM) Calls on all Europeans to Fight This Trend
The global burden of colorectal cancer continues to increase largely because of the
ageing and growth of the world population alongside an increasing adoption of
cancer-causing behaviors, particularly smoking, in economically developing countries.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is rare in developing countries, but is the second most frequent
malignancy in affluent societies. In Europe, each year more than 450,000 people are
diagnosed with colorectal cancer and about 230,000 will die of the disease.
Incidence rates are rapidly increasing in several areas historically at low risk,
including Spain, and a number of countries within Eastern Europe. Notably, rates among
males in the Czech Republic have already exceeded the peak of incidence observed in the
United States, where rates are declining or stabilizing. Such unfavorable trends are
thought to reflect a combination of factors including changes in dietary patterns,
obesity, and an increased prevalence of smoking.
While colorectal cancer death rates have been decreasing in several Western countries,
largely resulting from improved treatment and increased awareness and early detection,
rates continue to increase in many countries with more limited resources and health
infrastructure, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe.
These numbers are alarming, since CRC is a highly preventable disease through
progressively improved diagnosis and curable in over 90% of cases if diagnosed early.
This is why it is imperative to raise awareness of CRC screening and treatment
especially in those countries where rates continue to increase. ECCAM, launched in 2008 by
EuropaColon, is helping to achieve that goal. EuropaColon’s 21 affiliate and associate
groups across Europe including Spain, Czech Republic and Poland are carrying out numerous
public activities during the month of March to raise the profile of CRC prevention and
treatment in the media, the public and at political level.
“It is alarming to see CRC incidence and death numbers rising at high speed in many
European countries, whilst decreasing in others, reflecting the differences in screening
and treatment in Europe in a dramatic way,” says Jola Gore-Booth, Founder and CEO of
EuropaColon. “The activities during ECCAM undertaken by our local organizations help to
inform more people across Europe about prevention, screening and access to best treatment
and care. We call on politicians, clinicians, industry and media to support these
initiatives in order to save lives from this threatening disease.”
About EuropaColon:
Founded by Jola Gore-Booth in 2004, EuropaColon is the first European umbrella
organization dedicated to colorectal cancer. It aims to unite patients, caregivers,
healthcare professionals, politicians, the media and the public in the fight against the
disease. EuropaColon is currently represented in 21 countries in Europe and has been
acknowledged as the voice of colorectal cancer patients in the EU Parliament in Brussels,
Belgium.
For constant updates on the activities of EC’s affiliate and associate group please
visit: http://www.europacolon.com
Address: EuropaColon (headquarter): 94 Wilton Road, Salisbury, SP27JJ, United Kingdom
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