ROCCAS II screening programme at its end.

More than 51,400 people received free access to early diagnosis and treatment

The free screening programme "High-performance medical services for prevention, diagnosis and endoscopic treatment of colorectal cancer" (ROCCAS II), implemented by the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova and the "Always for Europe" Association, has come to its end.The concluding conference will take place on Thursday, 9th November 2023, at 11.00 a.m., in the Senate Hall of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Craiova, in the same place where exactly three years ago the team started their work.

From November 2020 to December 2023, teams of medical specialists, more than 200 family doctors, specialists in health policies and programmes, students and administrative authorities went to the population of the South - West Oltenia region with messages for prevention, but also with logistics and availability to detect, evaluate and treat colorectal premalignant lesions free of charge. In this way, more than 51,400 people aged between 50 and 74 have benefited from free access to high quality medical services of prevention, screening, diagnosis and early treatment. Of the more than 51,400 patients screened, 58% are from rural areas.

With this programme, 2825 FIT-positive individuals were identified and more than 1500 lower digestive endoscopies were performed.

ROCCAS was a large programme with multiple implications for both the target group and the entire population in the Oltenia Region. The long-term benefits are lowering the costs of health services by applying treatment at an early stage, increasing the life span of the target group, adherence to correct preventive behaviour, both on the part of patients and family doctors.

Colorectal cancer ranks third in the world in terms of incidence and 11% of all cancers. More than one million people are diagnosed with the condition each year. In Romania, colorectal cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, with a mortality rate above the world average. More details on www.preventiasalveazavieti.ro and on www.umfcv.ro.