Hospiten launches the tenth edition of its annual campaign on the prevention and detection of colon cancer.
To mark International Colon Cancer Day, which takes place on March 31, the hospital network will perform a Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) free of charge for people over 45 years of age, with the aim of raising awareness among the population that early diagnosis should be part of health habits.
To this end, occult blood tests will be carried out in stool at all hospital centers in Spain. People who decide to take the test can make an appointment viaonline appointment or the Hospitenapp. On March 26 and 27, they can go to the selected center at the assigned time to deliver their samples, which will be analyzed in the laboratory.
Following the launch of this new edition of this campaign by Hospiten, the specialist in the Digestive System, Dr. Katherine Bustamante, explains that the probability of survival can be multiplied by six with early detection and up to 90% of patients can be cured if detected early. “In this sense, early detection is also fundamental, due to its determining role in reducing the number of cases and deaths caused by colon and rectal cancer,” she adds.
What does the Fecal Occult Blood Test consist of?
The Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) is a more frequent and simple screening test for the early detection of colon cancer that allows the detection of polyps of a certain size and is performed on the population that does not present digestive symptoms (manifest blood in stool, abdominal pain, change in bowel rhythm, etc.). This system is characterized by the collection of a stool sample that is evaluated for the detection of occult blood by immunological methods. In many cases, a colonoscopy is performed in those patients who have symptoms of recent onset (alteration in the rhythm of bowel movements, abdominal pain of recent onset or visible blood in the stool) or a family history of colon cancer.
“According to data for 2025, colorectal cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed tumor in Spain, with around 44,573 new cases. In men, it is the second most common cancer after prostate cancer, with 27,224 new cases, while in women it ranks second after breast cancer, with 17,349 people affected,” explains the Hospiten specialist.
This type of cancer is usually detected late, but nearly 90% of colon and rectal cancers could be cured if detected early, before the disease reaches its most advanced stages. In this sense, it is estimated that one in sixteen people will develop colorectal cancer throughout their lives and in recent years the survival rate for this type of cancer has increased from 50 to 60%, hence the importance of prevention.
To prevent it, experts recommend that healthy eating habits be acquired, continue with a diet low in phrases, rich in vegetables, fruits, calcium and vitamin D, and reduce the consumption of red meats. However, it is also essential to lead a healthy lifestyle, exercise, avoiding being overweight, smoking and moderating alcohol intake.
Collection of results
In order to raise awareness among the population of the importance of going to the doctor to carry out tests and contribute to its detection, Hospiten invites people who are interested in collaborating in this prevention campaign to carry out this non-invasive test in which they will be informed about how to prevent this type of cancer.
From April 4, you can check your results through the Hospitenapp or collect them at the centers for those patients who have not downloaded the application. In the event that the result is positive, the patient will be notified from the hospital center to arrange a free consultation with the Hospiten Digestive specialist.
This year, in addition, a talk will be held, open to the general public, on colon cancer prevention at the Association of Journalists of Tenerife (AP) on March 17. Dr. Katherine Bustamante, Digestive of the Hospiten Bellevue University Hospital and a psychologist from the Spanish Association Against Cancer, Tamara Hernandez Baute, will participate in this event.