Finding ways that work for you: raising awareness about reducing the risk of colorectal cancer during Blue March!
24 February 2022
Week #1: ‘What’s Your Type’ of blue clothing to show your support?
Week #2: ‘What’s Your Type’ of device to book your appointment?
Week #3: ‘What’s Your Type’ of physical activity?
Week #4: ‘What’s Your Type’ of healthy snack?
Week #5: ‘What’s Your Type’ of relaxation technique?
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world,1 with 1 in 4 people diagnosed when the disease has already spread to other parts of the body (metastasised).2
It is important to raise awareness around reducing the risk and early diagnosis of CRC as early detection may result in better outcomes than if diagnosed after the disease has metastasized.3 A diagnosis of CRC is not solely based on a person’s age, gender or family history of the disease. Although it mainly affects people over 50,4 there is a rising incidence in younger people.3
There are a range of activities to help reduce the risk of a CRC,5 with activities or healthy changes fitting for everyone. Together, we can make a difference.
"In a world affected by a health crisis that has been going on for too long, it is more than ever necessary to remember that health cannot wait for the end of the pandemic. It is essential that follow-up appointments continue to be provided, that the various cancer screening programmes are organized and that the population can participate."
"Once again, this year, as it has for several years, the Pierre Fabre Group is committed to raising public awareness of CRC prevention and screening, and to supporting the actions carried out by patient associations through the Blue March campaign. This year, we have chosen, through our slogan "What's your type?" to highlight the fact that everyone, whatever their habits, lifestyle choices or individuality, can and must do something to participate in CRC prevention and screening."
Discover Deborah Szafir’s full intervention
Join in
This year, our ultimate goal is to raise awareness around the importance of prevention and early detection of CRC – a tumour which is unique in biomarker make-up and treatment.
We have launched the ‘What’s Your Type’ campaign to encourage people to improve their understanding of CRC and take the time to incorporate healthy changes that will work for them into their daily routine.
We are excited that the Castres Olympique rugby team have taken the time out of their training to develop a series of videos, to highlight how small changes in our daily routine can have a big impact on our overall physical well being and ultimately reduce the risk of colorectal cancer3,5,6.
This Blue March, join us and the Castres Olympique rugby team to learn more and raise awareness about CRC by taking up the activities we propose throughout the month. Can you incorporate healthy changes that work for you into your unique lifestyle to reduce your risk of CRC?
Here is the program!
Will you join us?
Week #1: ‘What’s Your Type’ of blue clothing to show your support?
Week #1: ‘What’s Your Type’ of blue clothing to show your support?
On 4 March, our colleagues all around the world will dress in blue to show their support for all people affected by CRC and their carers, as well as to raise awareness about prevention and early diagnosis.
‘What’s Your Type’ of blue clothing that you are going to wear on 4 March to show your support for raising awareness about this disease? Post your images on your social channels using the hashtag #CRCawareness.
"This Blue March, a month dedicated to spreading awareness about colorectal cancer, we’ve taken time out of our training to get you thinking about prevention and awareness for a disease, which if caught early, can have better outcomes.
No excuses: this could affect anyone. And while we all live our lives in our own unique way, there are a range of colorectal cancer preventative activities, with something fitting for each of us."
Week #2: ‘What’s Your Type’ of device to book your appointment?
Week #2: ‘What’s Your Type’ of device to book your appointment?
This week our colleagues are understanding more about colorectal cancer symptoms and screening programmes, and when to contact a doctor. Early diagnosis of colorectal cancer is vital.3 While some symptoms may alert you, early detection through an effective and regular screening test is the most reliable prevention method to reduce the risk.6
Colorectal cancer symptoms may include, but are not limited to:
- A change in bowel habits7
- Diarrhoea, constipation or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely7
- Blood in stool7
- Discomfort in the abdomen7
- Weight loss with no known explanation7
- Constant tiredness or fatigue7
If you or a loved one are concerned, speak to a doctor to learn more about symptoms and screening tests that may be available. For each screening appointment taken and recorded on our donation counter, we will donate €2 to the European patient organization Digestive Cancers Europe (DiCE)! ‘What’s Your Type’ of device to book your appointment?
Knowledge is power !
"Take the time to listen to the signals your body is sending you, and make sure your loved ones do the same. Catching CRC early is a game changer, and you can do that through effective and regular screening tests."
Did you know that regular physical activity can help lower your risk of getting colorectal cancer?5 This week, our employees are taking part in physical activities and planning how they can incorporate exercise into their daily routine that will work for them.
‘What’s Your Type’ of physical activity? Can you make small changes to incorporate a bit more exercise into your daily routine? Share your exercise ideas on your social channels using the hashtag #CRCawareness
"The benefits of regular physical activity are endless, but did you know it can also help lower your risk of getting colorectal cancer. Being on a rugby pitch may not be your type of fun, but can you make a small change to incorporate a bit more exercise into your daily routine?"
Week #4: ‘What’s Your Type’ of healthy snack?
Week #4: ‘What’s Your Type’ of healthy snack?
Did you know that a daily intake of fibre from fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains can help lower your risk of getting colorectal cancer?5 Our colleagues are taking on the challenge of creating a healthy eating plan this week. Speak to your doctor or nutritionist to learn more about the most balanced diet for you.
Will you dare to change your nutritional habits? ‘What’s Your Type’ of healthy snack? Share your favourite healthy snack on your social channels using the hashtag #CRCawareness.
"To perform my best on the pitch I need the right nutrition. Did you know that a daily intake of fibre from fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains can help lower your risk of getting colorectal cancer?"
Week #5: ‘What’s Your Type’ of relaxation technique?
Week #5: ‘What’s Your Type’ of relaxation technique?
Stress can lead to certain lifestyle habits such as smoking, unbalanced diet, and drinking too much alcohol, which have shown to increase the risk of cancers5.
Relaxation and meditation methods could help reduce your stress levels and in turn reduce these behaviours.8
The Pierre Fabre team are incorporating relaxation techniques into their daily routines this week.
‘What’s Your Type’ of relaxation? Join in and take a few moments for yourself. Share what works for you on your social channels, be it yoga poses or painting, and use the hashtag #CRCawareness.
"In the lead up to an important match, there is a lot of pressure and it all can become very stressful. To manage my stress levels, I practice mindfulness when I feel overwhelmed. It helps me relax and get in the right mindset to help me be my best on the field."
"The willingness of Pierre Fabre to help us disseminate our CRC Awareness Campaign is important because this helps us amplify our messages and in turn we hope, save people’s lives."
"Equally important for us is that beyond Blue March, Pierre Fabre is supporting various activities that we do, such as the development of the molecular educational toolkit for patients that are diagnosed with CRC and will be made available to the community this year."
Find Zorana Maravic’s full speech
Driven by our commitment to improving the lives of people with cancers where there are limited treatment options, we engage with patient organisations by supporting their work and putting the needs of patients at the center of our daily work.
As some concrete examples, you will find below the results of our collaboration with European and national patient’s associations. We supported some of their projects and together, developed a suite of tools designed to provide information to patients with colorectal cancer to help navigate challenges they may face in their everyday life.
Carer’s guide : A guide to caring for someone with colorectal cancer
Created by the European umbrella organisation Digestive Cancers Europe (DiCE) and adapted into French by Mon Réseau Cancer Colorectal.
With the institutional support of Pierre Fabre.
EDUCATIONAL TOOLKIT FOR PATIENT AFFECTED BY METASTATIC COLORECTAL CANCER HARBOURING MUTATIONS
Thank you to our partner in patient perspectives and insight, Digestive Cancers Europe (DiCE), and its members for their collaboration.
COLORECTAL CANCER HELP SHEETS COLLECTION
Project initiated and co-developed in partnership with french patient’s association : Association François Aupetit (AFA), Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer (LNCC), Mon Réseau Cancer ColoRectal (MRCCR) et Patients en Réseau.
This project is currently being internationalised.
Our goal is still the same,
Every time we care for a single person, we make the whole world better.
CRC Facts and Figures
CRC Facts and Figures
Approximately
Globally, the prevalence of CRC is expected to rise to more than
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world,1 with
References
- The Global Cancer Observatory, 2020. International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization. Available at: https://gco.iarc.fr/today/online-analysis-multi-bars. Accessed January 2022.
- Van Cutsem E, et al. Ann Oncol. 2014;25(Suppl 3):iii1–iii9.
- Gunter MJ, et al. Ann Oncol. 2019;doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdz044.
- American Cancer Society. Colorectal Cancer Facts and Figures 2020-2022. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/colorectal-cancer-facts-and-figures/colorectal-cancer-facts-and-figures-2020-2022.pdf. Accessed January 2022.
- Kerr J, et al. Lancet Oncol. 2017; 18(8):e457–71. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(17)30411-4.
- American Cancer Society. Colorectal Cancer Prevention. Available at: https://cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/prevention.html. Colorectal Cancer Prevention | How to Prevent Colorectal Cancer. Accessed January 2022.
- Cancer.Net. Colorectal Cancer: Symptoms and Signs. Available at: https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/colorectal-cancer/symptoms-and-signs. Accessed January 2022.
- National Cancer Institute. Psychological Stress and Cancer. Available at: Accessed January 2022.