Lisbon pharmacies promote free and convenient access to colorectal cancer screening

Access to colorectal cancer screening is now simpler and more convenient. This is according to Maria João Carvalho, who, on March 24, collected a kit for the first time at Farmácia Morais Sarmento, in Lisbon, as part of the campaign “Lisbon united in the fight against colorectal cancer”, which aims to improve access to screening and thereby promote early diagnosis and disease prevention.

Although this is not the first time she has taken this type of test, it is her first experience in a community pharmacy setting. «It is closer», explains Maria João Carvalho, noting that she works near the pharmacy, which makes the process more accessible, practical, and straightforward.

The campaign, promoted by MovSaúde in partnership with Europacolon Portugal and ANF, with the support of Lisbon City Council, is taking place in more than 130 community pharmacies across the municipality of Lisbon and has been extended until April 30.

«Colorectal cancer screening is completely free and painless», assures pharmacist Carolina Rodrigues, responsible for conducting screenings at Farmácia Morais Sarmento, who also highlights the «comfort» of taking the kit home and collecting the sample there.

During a monitoring visit to the initiative on March 24, Lisbon City Council councillor for Health, Ana Simões Silva, emphasized the importance of «investing in prevention», noting the essential role of community pharmacies in this area. «Pharmacies, due to their proximity and the trust they have built with people, are fundamental to ensuring that screening reaches a larger share of the population», she stated.

Alongside her, the president of ANF underscored the importance of pharmacy teams in raising public awareness. «Participation rates in colorectal cancer screening remain low, highlighting the need to strengthen public awareness of the disease and the importance of screening», she said.

According to Ema Paulino, the initiative, in place since February 23, has been well received by the eligible population, resulting in a distribution of kits in line with expectations.

The interim president of MovSaúde highlighted the added value of working «in synergy» among the entities involved, describing each role as «essential». Francisco Morais stated that the campaign has the potential to «demonstrate that the model and concept work» and, consequently, encourage the expansion of the project to other regions of the country.

«Colorectal cancer is a silent disease, but if prevented or detected early, it has a very high cure rate, around 90%», noted Sofia Silva, communications director of Europacolon Portugal, explaining that through a «simple test», reactive cases are referred to the appropriate levels of care.

Participating pharmacies are providing 4,000 screening kits for this type of cancer, which is the most prevalent in Portugal, with around 10,000 new cases diagnosed every year, and one of the leading causes of mortality in the country.

Citizens aged between 45 and 74 may take part in the campaign, provided they have no history of colorectal cancer, associated hereditary syndromes, or inflammatory bowel disease, and have not undergone recent screening tests.

Find the nearest participating community pharmacy here.