Colorectal cancer screening

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer. The colorectal screening program lets us detect colorectal cancer early, before a person has symptoms. Early detection of colorectal cancer increases the chances of successful treatment. Treatment is often less impactful. And if we discover a precancerous abnormality, it may even be possible to prevent colorectal cancer.

All men and women aged 55 to 75 are invited to participate. This is the age group when colorectal cancer happens most often. You will get an invitation to participate every 2 years. If you do not get an invitation, but you are in that age group and are not being treated for colorectal cancer, please contact us.

The screening in 4 steps

1. Invitation or contact us directly

You will get an invitation to participate in the population screening program. Then you can call, app or email us so we can register you. Are you between the ages of 55 and 75 years and you didn't get an invitation? To register, you can contact us directly.
2. The stool test

Read the instructions. • Use the stool test. • Return the test to the Public Health Prevention Clinic laboratory within 2 days after using the test.
3. Testing in the laboratory

The Public Health Prevention Clinic sends your stool sample to the laboratory in Curaçao. There the stool sample will be examined.
4. The result

Within 2 weeks, you and your family doctor will get the result.

Preparation for follow-up testing

The follow-uptesting is at the Fundashon Mariadal hospital on Bonaire.

Dr. Chris Franca, gastroenterologist, is happy to explain how to prepare for the internal exam of the colon (colonoscopy).

Steffie

Steffie will tell you about the colorectal cancer screening program.

Steffie explains

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the population screening colorectal cancer on Bonaire.

This medical examination checks for colorectal cancer before you have any symptoms. Early detection makes it possible to start treatment sooner. It also increases the chances of successful treatment.

If you have bowel problems, you should go to your family doctor, instead of participating in colorectal cancer screening. The population screening program is for people who do not have symptoms. The stool test used for colorectal cancer screening may not give accurate results for people with symptoms. If you have symptoms, it is important to make an appointment with your family doctor right away. Your doctor can check if follow-up diagnostic testing is needed, and what type of test is best for you. For more information, contact your family doctor.

Yes, you can register for colorectal cancer screening, even if you have hemorrhoids. Blood in your stool could be caused by hemorrhoids, but it could also be from colorectal cancer, so it is important to get tested. If the result of your stool test is concerning, you will be referred to the hospital for follow-up diagnostic testing to find out the cause.

You can expect your first invitation for colorectal cancer screening between the ages of 55 and 75 years. We try to invite everyone within 2 years. After that, you will be invited every 2 years, continuing until you are 75. If you did not get a letter, but you do want to participate, you can register directly.

90% of people with bowel cancer are 55 years or older. Between the ages of 55 and 75 years, people have the highest risk of developing colorectal cancer that leads to death. This age group benefits most from population screening for colorectal cancer.

Yes, that is possible. It can be registered in the system. This means you will not get any more invitations for the colorectal cancer screening program. To arrange this, contact us at tel. +599 318 2891, WhatsApp +599 318 5147 or Screening.statia@statiagov.com

If the outcome of your screening test is favorable, you will be invited again in 2 years. If you do not get an invitation 2 years later, please contact the screening organization. Sometimes you will not be invited again until 10 years later. This may happen if you had a colonoscopy (internal exam of your intestines) and the doctor only found a few small polyps – or none at all. Not sure when it will be your turn? Please contact the screening organization.

For people over 75, colorectal cancer screening has more disadvantages. That includes wrong test results, over-diagnosis and over-treatment, and the stress and risks of a colonoscopy (internal exam of the intestines).

You and your family doctor will get the result of the screening test. If you need follow-up diagnostic testing, the family doctor will contact you, explain what the result means, and arrange a video consult to determine whether you will be referred to Fundashon Mariadal for a follow-up examination.

We will send a letter or an e-mail with the result within 2 weeks. Or you will be contacted by the screening organization. If you do not have the result after 2 weeks, please contact Public Health Prevention Clinic at tel. +599 318 2891, WhatsApp +599 318 5147 or Screening.statia@statiagov.com.

It is best to wait until the diarrhea is over and your stool is back to normal. At that point, you can use the test. If you have diarrhea that lasts longer than a few days, ask your family doctor for advice.

No, you do not need to be fasting to use the stool test. It is fine to eat and drink before and after using the stool test. The test checks for blood in your stool. Food and drink do not affect this.

There is a bar code on the test tube in the stool test. This bar code is linked to your personal data. This is how the laboratory connects the test and the result to you. Then the result is sent to you.

Colorectal cancer screening

The screening in 4 steps

1. Invitation or contact us directly

2. The stool test

3. Testing in the laboratory

4. The result

Preparation for follow-up testing

Steffie

FAQ

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Colorectal cancer screening

The screening in 4 steps

1. Invitation or contact us directly

2. The stool test

3. Testing in the laboratory

4. The result

Preparation for follow-up testing

Steffie

FAQ

I do not have any health problems and I feel fine. Why would I participate in population screening?

I have bowel problems. Does that mean I can have the population screening earlier?

Why will I be sent to my family doctor if I have bowel problems?

I have hemorrhoids. Can I still take part in colorectal cancer screening?

When will I get an invitation for the population screening program for colorectal cancer?

Why do I get my first invitation at the age of 55? And not at 50 years, like on Curaçao and Aruba?

I lost my invitation. What should I do?

I did not get an invitation, but I am in the target age group. Can I still participate?

My partner is also in the target age group. Can I register my partner for the population screening program for colorectal cancer?

I would prefer not to be invited. Is that possible?

When is the next time that I will be invited for colorectal cancer screening?

Why will I not be invited after turning 75?

Will my family doctor get the result?

What if I did not get my test result?

I have diarrhea. Can I use the stool test?

I have my period. Can I use the stool test?

Should I be fasting before using the stool test?

I lost the test tube, or the tube is damaged, or I forgot to bring the test to the lab. What should I do now?

I do not understand what I should do. Or something went wrong. What should I do now?

How does the laboratory know that it is my stool test?

What is a colonoscopy?

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