Medics demand sale of new test
A doctors’ group has hit out at failure for a new more effective bowel cancer test to be made available
DOCTORS have denounced a failure to put on the market a new kind of colorectal (bowel) cancer test that they say could help save thousands of lives.
Sale of the test kits has been halted by administrative delays despite them having been approved in principle by the Haute Autorité de la Santé almost two years ago.
Now the French gastroenterology society SNFGE, representing specialists in the sector, is demanding the green light be given by the end of the month.
Members visited the Health Ministry yesterday, but a spokesman, Prof Robert Banamouzig, told Metronews: “I’ve never been received so pleasantly, by people who really want to help, with undeniable good faith, but on the other hand you have to admit that nothing is happening.”
“Making noise in the media”, would “help the government to help us”, he said.
The SNFGE says the new test makes good financial sense. It would cost €12 million a year more than the current one but it is believed it would detect eight out of 10 cancers instead of only a half, saving money to the social security system and around 2,700 lives a year.
Colorectal cancer is the second largest cause of death from cancer in France. Only a third of those at risk (the 50-75 age group) go for routine tests, recommended every two years.
There is a 90% survival rate after five years if it is detected at an early stage.
