A new era in colorectal cancer detection
Starting from the fourth quarter of this year, Catalonia will implement a significant expansion of its early detection programme for colorectal cancer, raising the age limit from 69 to 74 years. This measure, which aligns with European recommendations, aims to improve early detection and reduce mortality associated with this disease, which is the most common among tumours diagnosed in the region.
Estimates from the Department of Health indicate that this expansion will allow for the identification of approximately 1,205 additional cases annually in the early stages, broken down into 698 men and 327 women. This advancement is crucial, given that colorectal cancer is not only the most frequent tumour but also the second highest in mortality rate in Catalonia.
Catalonia thus becomes the fifth autonomous community in Spain to extend its screening programme to 74 years, following the steps of Castilla y León, Euskadi, La Rioja, and Aragón. In Euskadi, where this measure was first implemented, a notable impact has been observed: during the year 2025, colorectal cancer was detected in 2.4 per thousand participants within the age group of 70 to 74 years, a rate that doubles that recorded among those aged 50 to 59 years.
Despite these significant advances, the figures reveal a concerning landscape: currently, six out of ten eligible individuals do not undergo the necessary tests for early detection of this disease. According to recent data for the period 2022-2025, 4,216 cases are diagnosed annually in men, with a considerable percentage (42.8%) within the expanded age range (50-69 years), while 2,728 cases affect women, with a significant number also within the same age range.
The early detection programme has proven to be an effective strategy in combating colorectal cancer; when detected early, survival rates are encouraging: 64% for men and 67.9% for women at five years. In the previous year (2024), over one million people were invited to the programme; however, only 47.3% participated. Of these participants, 4.4%</strong% tested positive for advanced adenomas or cancer.
From now until the end of next year (2026), those who turn 69 will continue to receive biennial invitations until they reach 74 years. This continuity is vital to ensure that more people have access to early diagnoses and effective treatments.
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