Benefits
Colonoscopy can be claimed as a preventive examination in the statutory health insurance from the age of 55. After 10 years the examination can be repeated. It offers the possibility of early detection of existing intestinal cancer and thus also increases the chance of recovery.
The examination is particularly useful and should be carried out earlier than offered by the health insurance companies, if the family history shows an inflammatory bowel disease or even cancer. However, since patients are also examined without symptoms indicating a disease, a good balance should be made between actual effectiveness and the risk factors existing for the patient.
