On May 25, 2011, the Dutch Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) decided to implement a national population screening programme for colorectal cancer (CRC screening) . This decision was based on a recommendation given by the Health Council of the Netherlands (GR) and on data from a feasibility study carried out by the Centre for Population Screening (CvB) at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).
National screening programme started in January 2014
By order of the VWS Ministry, RIVM introduced the national screening programme in January 2014. This was done in close collaboration with many organisations.
Target group
The national screening programme for colorectal cancer screening (CRC screening) is for men and women in the age group 55 to 75 years. This amounts to a total number of four million people.
Self screening test
The population screening is done by testing stool samples from the participants; they are sent a home kit (FIT) for this purpose. The FIT home test can detect any traces of blood in the stool sample. The participant uses the home kit to collect a sample and then sends it to the laboratory for analysis. The results of the test are sent to the participant by letter. If the test result is abnormal, then the person in question will be referred for further diagnosis; this is an internal examination (colonoscopy) of the bowel. This enables doctors to determine whether there is any sign of colorectal cancer or a pre-cancerous stage present in the colon.
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer that occurs in the Netherlands. The national screening programme is aimed at cancer in the large bowel. This type of cancer is one of the most frequently occurring in the Netherlands. Each year, approximately 5000 people die as a result of this condition.
In the long term, a national screening programme could help about 2,400 people a year who would otherwise die from colorectal cancer. In the years 2014-2018, about 76 out of 100 people responded to the invitation to participate in the screening.
For more information about the programme, please see the menu on the left.
For detailed information: http://www.bevolkingsonderzoekdarmkanker.nl/ (in Dutch only)
Contact information: cvb@rivm.nl
