More than 1983
fecal screenings performed in 2025
What causes colon cancer?
Colon cancer starts as a polyp in the colon. A polyp is a bulge on the inside of the colon. Most polyps are harmless, but colon cancer develops in some polyps. Most people do not notice anything from polyps.
Why is colon screening important?
Colon cancer is the most common cancer in men and women in Curaçao. The chances of survival depend largely on detecting it as early as possible. If you are between 50 and 75 years old, you will receive an invitation for colon cancer (also called bowel or colorectal cancer) screening every two years.
Colon screening at the Curaçao Prevention Center involves testing for traces of blood in your stool (poo). Blood in your poo could be an indication of polyps or cancer and is often invisible to the naked eye. Hence a lab test to detect it when you can’t know yet that it is there.
With this screening, we can also find polyps in the large intestine. These polyps are not cancer yet, but can become cancerous. By removing polyps, colon cancer can be prevented. Since we repeat the colon screening every two years, it is more likely that we will detect polyps early. As a result, fewer people end up with bowel cancer.
How to participate in the colon screening
FIT test
The FIT Test -as this colon screening test is called- is the simplest and easiest screening test we offer. Men and women between 50-75 can pick up a test kit. This test can be done at home and when ready, you can bring back the sample at any of the listed locations. You are informed within ten working days whether further testing is needed. Although we do send out invitations, all resident males and females between 50-75 can pick up a FIT Test at any of these locations:
- Caribbean Prevention Center
- All ADC (Analytisch Diagnostisch Center) locations
- All MLS (Medical Laboratory Services) locations
Please return the test sample at any of these locations (it doesn’t have to be at the same one you picked it up) within a few hours and keep it refrigerated, especially if you have to keep it at home overnight. Please do not forget to fill in the forms that come in the test kit.
How to do the FIT test at home?
Once you have fetched your colon test at our offices or at any outlet of the ADC or MLS laboratories, you wait for your next bowel movement to do the test. Before you start, fill in the forms and watch the instructional video. Follow the instructions carefully. Pay attention that there is a green and a white end of the tube. Unscrew only the green part. DO NOT open the white end. If you do open the white end, please fetch a new test and discard the wrongly opened one.
Bring the test back to any of the locations mentioned and keep it cold (refrigerated) if you are not returning it the same day.
FIT Test Accuracy
No screening test is 100% accurate. While the FIT (Faecal Immunochemical Test) is effective at detecting signs of colorectal cancer, there is still a small chance that cancer or advanced polyps may not be identified.
It is important to remain attentive between screening tests. Check for any signs of blood in your stool or on toilet paper after bowel movements. If you notice blood, or experience ongoing symptoms such as persistent constipation, diarrhea, or other unexplained changes in bowel habits, please contact your general practitioner.
You can receive one of the following two results
Result 1: No follow-up examination is needed
We did not find blood in your stool. If you have not reached the age of 75 in two years, you will receive another invitation for the screening program. In about 95 out of 100 people have no blood in their stool
What is a colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is a medical procedure that allows a doctor to examine the inside of the colon using a flexible instrument equipped with a small camera. During the procedure, the doctor can identify and remove small growths called polyps, which may develop into colon cancer if left untreated.
Colon polyps usually grow very slowly. Research shows that it can take 10 to 15 years for some polyps to turn into cancer. This slow growth makes regular screening at the right intervals one of the most effective ways to prevent colon cancer.
By removing polyps early, a colonoscopy significantly reduces the risk of developing colon cancer and helps save lives. Studies have shown that screening and polyp removal can lower colorectal cancer rates and deaths by more than half.
A colonoscopy is also recommended to further investigate symptoms such as blood in the stool, as this may be caused by polyps, inflammation, or other conditions that require medical attention.
Fundashon Prevenshon has its own state‑of‑the‑art Colonoscopy Center, located in the red wing adjacent to our main building on the Rialtostraat.
Result 2: A follow-up examination is necessary
Blood was detected in the stool. Blood in your stool could be linked to polyps or colon cancer. There may also be other innocent and benign reasons for blood in the stool, like ruptured veins around the anus, polyps, etc. To further investigate what is causing blood in the stool we recommend doing a colonoscopy; a specialist looks inside your colon to determine the cause of the blood. We have our own modern Colonoscopy Center located in the red wing adjacent to our main building at the Rialtostraat. More information about this surveillance examination can be found on our colonoscopy page. Usually, about 5 out of 100 people have blood in their stool
Did you go through our Screening program? We would love to hear your feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions
We aim to be the beacon for prevention through screening, early diaWe aim to be the beacon for prevention through screening, early diagnosis & early detection of disease in Curaçao.gnosis & early detection of disease in Curaçao.
Your Health Matters. Take control of your own health and participate in the screening.
We send structural invitations to all citizens of Curacao within the age of 50-75 years old. If you are within this age group and have not received an invitation, please contact our team at the free line 462 33 80 or 0800-1811.
Other screening programs
Breast Screening
