The Digestive Endoscopy, Gastroenterology and Proctology teams at Unicamp's Gastrocentro will carry out a group of colonoscopies on March 24, 2023, starting at 7 am. For the day of the joint effort, 50 colonoscopies are scheduled to be carried out for Unicamp patients in need of screening for colorectal neoplasia, already previously called, in addition to educational and awareness-raising activities among the population and health professionals.
This event will be held in conjunction with the Brazilian Society of Digestive Endoscopy – São Paulo Region (Sobed-SP) and will be part of the Blue March campaign – Colorectal Cancer Awareness and Prevention Month. Unicamp's Gastrocentro has been carrying out colonoscopy campaigns throughout the year as part of the annual campaign and was one of the three locations chosen by Sobed-SP to carry out joint efforts in Março Azul. Such events will take place on the same day at the Barretos Cancer Hospital and the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo (USP).
Blue March
March is the month dedicated to combating colorectal cancer, the third most common tumor causing deaths and the second most common in men and women over the age of 50, after prostate and breast cancer. Today, the chance of a person developing the disease is around 4,3%. This type of cancer is more common in men and women over 45 years of age or in people who have a family history of the disease.
In Brazil, colorectal cancer affects more than 40 thousand people per year. With the aging of the population, it is estimated that, by 2025, the number of deaths caused by the disease will increase. Despite the high mortality, colorectal cancer is curable, especially when diagnosed early.
“Unfortunately, nowadays, 85% of colorectal cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, when the chance of a cure is lower”, says the general coordinator of the Gastrocentro, Ciro Garcia Montes.
