Colorectal cancer screening programme on Praslin to start on January 28 |24 January 2023

The Ministry of Health will launch the colorectal cancer screening on Praslin on Saturday January 28, 2023, at 11am at the Baie St Anne community centre.

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer occurring in both men and women in the Seychelles.

In 2021, a total number of 28 new colorectal cancer cases were detected out of which 12 were males and 16 were females.

A total number of 13 colorectal cancer related deaths were also recorded and of which 7 were males and 6 females.

“There is a need to create awareness about this type of cancer, its associated signs and symptoms and to strengthen the screening programme for early detection of these types of cancers,” says a press release from the Ministry of Health.

The fecal occult blood test will be used as the screening tool. This test will be offered to all members of the population of the Seychelles from the ages 50 years to 64 years.

This is a simple test done through the collection of a small sample of stool, which is then tested for the presence of blood. All clients who have registered in the programme will be informed of all stool results by a doctor or nurse of the clinic. Should the result be positive for the presence of blood the client will be referred to a gastroenterologist for further management.

All males and females aged between 50 to 64 years are strongly encouraged to voluntarily take part in this screening exercise.

The Ministry of Health successfully conducted this screening on La Digue last year.

The programme is being officially launched on Praslin and later will be expanded to all public clinics on Mahé.

Press release from the Ministry of Health