Colon cancer avoided by colonoscopy

The screening programs for cancer screening for colorectal cancer have prevented around 100,000 cases of colorectal cancer since 2002, with a further nearly 50,000 cases being discovered in a curable stage.

11/22/2010

In October 2002, colonoscopies were part of the German statutory program for the early detection of cancer. Since then, every insured person over the age of 50 is entitled to a test for fecal occult blood, and from the age of 55 the insured person is entitled to a free early detection colonoscopy. Insofar as the initial examination takes place before the age of 65, insured persons can have a further colonoscopy done free of charge after 10 years. The scientists from the German Cancer Research Center have examined the success of this legally regulated early diagnosis and have now published a first interim report. Prof. Dr. med. Hermann Brenner, epidemiologist of the DKFZ, announced that according to his calculations in the last eight years, 98,734 colorectal cancer cases in persons aged 55 to 84 years were prevented by the participation in early screening colonoscopy and another 47,168 diseases in an early, mostly curable Stadium were discovered.

The scientists of the DKFZ evaluated the data of the National Register of Nursing, which collect all colonoscopy results, as the doctors are obliged to disclose their examination results. Thus, the researchers from the DKFZ were able to record and verify the findings of every single screening colonoscopy undertaken since 2002. In addition to the data on the number of participants, the age- and gender-specific frequency of colorectal cancer precursors, the number of malignant tumors and the age of the deceased were particularly interesting in terms of the benefits of colonoscopy.

In Germany, more than 60,000 people suffer from colorectal cancer (colorectal carcinoma) every year. Thus, colorectal carcinomas in this country in men and women, the second most common cancer, with more than six percent of all Germans in the course of their life suffering from colon cancer. Since the disease usually develops over years and initially only rarely causes symptoms in the patients, colon cancer is often detected relatively late. However, in the late stage of the disease, the disease is hardly treatable or curable, so that the 5-year survival rate is only 40 to 60 percent. Above all, it is crucial for the survival chances of those affected in which stage of the disease the colorectal cancer was discovered. This is where the screening program introduced in 2002 comes in, because the precursors of colorectal cancer can be detected relatively easily with a colonoscopy and removed during the examination. A colon cancer disorder can do so „far better than other cancers are prevented by consistent early detection“, emphasized Prof. Hermann Brenner.

Overall, the DKFZ's assessment of the screening program for cancer screening for colorectal cancer is extremely positive in view of the large number of diseases avoided. In the opinion of Prof. Brenner „These major effects are all the more astonishing [...] as only about three percent of the beneficiaries participate in the screening program each year“. Thus, the expert points out that with a greater participation in the early detection offers could be prevented even more colon cancer cases in Germany. Participation can be „after international experience (...) most likely through an organized early detection program with targeted invitations“ Prof. Brenner explained, pointing out that the first model projects are being prepared as part of the National Cancer Plan. (Fp)

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