Press Release: Too few Europeans undergo colorectal cancer and prostate checks ups, Eurobarometer reveals

Although European citizens appear to be generally aware of the importance of preventive medical checkups, the vast majority of them do not undergo colorectal cancer or prostate tests, an EU wide survey reveals. The Eurobarometer on "Health in the European Union" published on 14 September 2007, which marks the European Prostate Awareness Day, indicates that only 13% of European men took the Prostate Specific Antigen Tests and only 8% of all respondents the colorectal cancer test. The survey also reveals that, in general, Europeans are aware of the importance of preventive check ups as more than six out of ten carry out dental tests and almost four out of ten get their eyes checked every year. According to the Eurobarometer, a sizeable majority of EU citizens consider themselves to be in good health. In fact, less than one in ten (7%) say that their health is bad or very bad.