Things to Know About Colorectal Cancer Screening

Colorectal cancer is No.1 in the European cancer charts. Across Europe, 279,000 people are newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year. In Germany alone, there are 66,000 annually, of which 29,000 people die each year as a result of this disease. Here is some interesting and useful information on the subject of bowel, colorectal cancer and prevention.

Did you know.

… 70% of human immune cells are located in the intestine? The intestine is the center of our immune system. A healthy intestinal flora therefore also provides effective protection against harmful microorganisms. … colorectal cancer is the only cancer that is almost 100% preventable or curable through early detection? This is because this cancer forms precursors (so-called polyps). Only these polyps, which are not yet cancerous in the early stages, can develop into malignant adenomas. If these polyps are discovered at an early stage (e.g. during a colonoscopy), they can be removed directly during the examination (without surgery) and the person examined can be sure that he or she will not develop colorectal cancer in the next few years. … colorectal cancer is hereditary? Experts estimate that about 30% of all cases of colorectal cancer are due to a family predisposition or genetic causes. People with a family history of colorectal cancer or its precursors (polyps) should seek early advice on colorectal cancer screening and undergo screening at an early age. In the case of a familial predisposition, the statutory health insurers also pay for curative colonoscopy (colonoscopy) regardless of age. … a colonoscopy is only necessary every 10 years? In the meantime you can be sure not to get this cancer. However, this is only true if the findings at the previous colonoscopy are negative. For people who have had polyps found and removed, and for those at hereditary risk, the examination intervals are shorter. These can vary between 2 – 6 years, depending on the existing diagnosis. … the stool blood test should be performed once a year? This test detects hidden (occult) blood in the stool. Polyps, which can be precursors of colorectal cancer, bleed at intervals, i.e. not continuously. Therefore, any positive stool blood test must also be clarified by colonoscopy to be sure that no polyps or other diseases are present. Repeated testing, e.g. until a negative result is obtained, must not be done under any circumstances. This is explicitly stipulated in the medical guidelines. … the statutory health insurers offer the stool blood test free of charge annually for insured persons from the age of 50 and the preventive colonoscopy is reimbursed by the statutory health insurers from the age of 55? For people who have acute complaints (blood in the stool, pain) or for insured persons with cases of colon cancer in the family, this regulation does not apply. They are reimbursed for both the test and the colonoscopy regardless of age. The stool blood test is also available over the counter at pharmacies for self-testing or for sending to a laboratory for about 15 euros. … you can significantly reduce your risk of colorectal cancer with a healthy lifestyle? A healthy diet and regular endurance sports have been shown to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer; in some cases by up to 40%. However, this only applies to people who do not belong to any of the above-mentioned risk groups. For these, a regular colon check is essential. … virtual colonoscopy (e.g. computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging) cannot currently replace conventional colonoscopy? If a polyp is detected by CT or MR, it can only be removed by conventional colonoscopy. … around 100 million nerve cells are interwoven into a network in the inner wall of the intestine? That is more cells than the entire spinal cord has. This explains why the intestine reacts very sensitively to external and psychosomatic influences. … the human digestive organ is about 8 meters long? That corresponds to the length of a fully grown giant snake.

Risk group for colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is a disease that can be inherited. The presence of hereditary colorectal cancer means that direct relatives of those with the disease (parents, siblings, and children) may be at increased risk for the disease in early adulthood. In most forms of hereditary colorectal cancer, the risk of disease can be reduced very significantly by following appropriate precautionary rules.Talk to your doctor about your personal risk of colorectal cancer and take advantage of the opportunity that colorectal cancer screening offers you! Colorectal cancer is the only cancer that is almost 100% preventable. By asking the following questions, you can find out for yourself if there is an increased risk of colorectal cancer in your family.

Important questions about colorectal cancer screening

It is important that you find out as precisely as possible who in the family has or has had colorectal cancer or colon polyps and at what age these diseases occurred.

  • In my family, a direct relative (parents, siblings, or children) has had colorectal cancer. (yes/no)
  • In my family, an immediate relative (parents, siblings, or children) has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer before the age of 45. (yes/no)
  • In my family, an immediate relative (parent, sibling, or child) was diagnosed with a colon polyp (adenoma) before the age of 40. (yes/no)
  • In my family, three or more relatives have been diagnosed with colon cancer, stomach cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, renal pelvic cancer, or ureteral cancer. (yes/no)

Screening recommendations.

If you answered no to all questions, there is no increased risk of colorectal cancer in your family. It is sufficient if all family members start colorectal cancer screening at age 50. Health insurance companies pay for an annual fecal blood test starting at age 50 and a colonoscopy starting at age 55. If you answered yes to question 1 only, you may have an increased risk of colorectal cancer in your family. All direct relatives (parents, siblings and children) of the person with colorectal cancer should then seek advice from their family doctor or gastroenterologist as to whether additional screening measures are necessary. If you answered yes to one or more of the questions 2 to 4, a hereditary form of colorectal cancer may be present in your family. All direct relatives (parents, siblings and children) of persons suffering from colorectal cancer then have a greatly increased risk of developing colorectal cancer and should definitely seek advice from their family doctor, gastroenterologist or, if applicable, human geneticist on appropriate preventive measures.

Human genetic counseling centers

Some university hospitals have established special counseling centers for persons with suspected hereditary colorectal cancer: Bochum, tel : 0234-299-3464; Bonn, tel : 0228-287-5489; Dresden, tel : 0351-796-5744; Düsseldorf, tel : 0211-81 13960; Heidelberg, tel : 06221-56-36493; Munich, tel : 089-54308-511; Regensburg, tel : 0941-944-7010.