For colorectal cancer in the family necessarily precautions

Early detection is particularly important in the case of a family history
Colorectal cancer is one of the three most common cancers in this country. More than 25,000 people die each year. In order to protect yourself, regular preventive examinations should therefore be used at a certain age. This is especially important if the family has already had colon cancer cases. Because then the risk of self-infection is significantly increased.
Cases in the family double your own risk
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of male prostate and lung cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death in Germany after breast cancer. In addition to inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., ulcerative colitis), i.a. severe obesity, smoking, physical inactivity and poor diet (e.g., too much red meat, fatty and carbohydrate foods, too little fiber) as factors that increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Another important risk group is people whose family has already had colon cancer cases. Because then the risk of even being ill, twice as high, explains the gastroenterologist Prof. Jürgen Riemann of the Gastro League in conversation with the news agency "dpa". The lifetime risk of getting colon cancer is therefore 6%, and if a first-degree relative is affected, it rises to 12%.

Bowel diagnoses with polyps. Picture: Alex - fotolia

"If a physical relative becomes ill, you should be 40 to 45 for the first time for colonoscopy," advises the CEO of the Foundation LebensBlicke on the occasion of March colon cancer month. According to the Foundation, the rule of thumb for people with a positive family history is to undergo the first colonoscopy ten years before their relative's diagnosis.

Colon cancer often causes symptoms only in advanced stages
The early detection can save lives, because a tumor in the large or small intestines grows slowly and caused in most sufferers for a long time no problems. If symptoms or pain occur, the disease is usually very advanced and in many cases fatal. On the other hand, if the cancer is detected at an early stage by a precautionary examination, the chances of recovery are generally good.

Normally, the health insurances would pay the annual check on hidden, invisible blood in the stool ("Okkultbluttest") from the age of 50, informs Prof. Riemann. After the 55th birthday, a colonoscopy (colonoscopy) is taken every ten years, alternatively, from this age onwards, an occult blood test can be taken every two years at the expense of the health insurance fund. (No)