Only 38% of the people called in the Canary Islands to participate in the colon cancer early detection program the test was performed … last year, even though it is the most common tumor on the islands. In 2024, they were diagnosed 1,754 new cases.
This low level of participation in screening worries the Minister of Health, Esther Monzón, who this Tuesday, on the occasion of World Colon Cancer Day, appealed to citizen awareness about the importance of undergoing this simple test that, in 2025, will allow detect 80 tumors in people without symptoms.
«We must insist to the population on the importance of screening. We play a key role there, especially health professionals,” said Monzón, who highlighted the work of the public health system personnel in the active capture of risk population.
Regarding the coverage of the program in the Canary Islands, the counselor announced that it is expected to reach 100% of the population between 50 and 69 years old in the first quarter of 2027once it is implemented in the health areas of the capital islands where it is not yet operational.
In the last year, in addition, the effort to expand participation has been intensified: 291,088 people were invited to undergo the fecal occult blood test, compared to the 148,254 cited in 2024.