Health bodies urge 55-plus to do bowel cancer test

The first Dag van de Paarse Envelop (Purple Envelope Day) is held on 3 November, and from this year it returns every 3 November, to encourage people to take part in the bowel cancer screening. The day is an initiative of the RIVM (the national public health institute), Bevolkingsonderzoek Nederland, the body that runs the screening programmes, and the MDL Fonds, a fund for digestive and liver disease.

More than two million purple envelopes go out each year to people aged 55 to 75. Each holds an invitation and a test that picks up blood in the stool. It can be done at home, before any symptoms appear.

Niels Venneman, a gastroenterologist at the MST hospital in Enschede, puts participation at only 60 to 70% of those invited. He wants it to reach 100%. He names shame, a feeling that the test is awkward or dirty, and fear as reasons people leave the envelope unopened. The mandatory health insurance excess (eigen risico) also plays a part if someone is referred, he says.

Polyps found through the test can often be removed, which can prevent bowel cancer.

“It is a simple test and you can prevent an incredible amount of misery with it,” said Mariël Croon, director of MDL Fonds.