Colorectal cancer new cases reduced by 14 percent across Germany

New study: Colorectal cancer risk has dropped significantly in Germany
Colon cancer is the second most common malignancy in men and women in Germany. More than 25,000 Germans die every year. A new study has now shown that the early detection, in which cancer precursors are discovered, the number of new cases was significantly reduced.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers
Colon cancer is one of the three most common cancers in this country. Nearly a fifth of those affected have a family history. Even people who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are at increased risk. In addition, physical inactivity, smoking, alcohol consumption and malnutrition, such as a high fat and meat diet, are among the factors that increase the risk of colorectal cancer. There are also scientific investigations. A study from the USA showed that vegetarians are less likely to develop colorectal cancer. According to health experts, this cancer is often curable if diagnosed early: early detection can save lives. This is also shown by a new study by German researchers.

The colorectal cancer cases in Germany have declined slightly. (Image: psdesign1 / fotolia.com)

New cases and mortality dropped significantly
As the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) reported in a press release on the occasion of the March cancer month of March, the screening colonoscopy was included in 2002 in the statutory cancer screening program in Germany. DKFZ scientists now calculate that the age-standardized colorectal cancer incidence rate in Germany fell by around 14 percent between 2003 and 2012. This decline was most pronounced in the age groups 55 years and over where the study is being offered. Age-standardized colorectal cancer mortality fell by nearly 21 percent in men and by over 26 percent in women. Earlier research has shown that early detection in colorectal cancer is particularly effective.

Cancer precursors can be removed on examination
The colonoscopy is early detection and at the same time genuine "cancer prevention"; since any detected cancer precursors can be removed immediately during the examination immediately. The "precautionary colonoscopy", as the study is called in technical language, was included in the statutory cancer screening program in Germany in October 2002 for insured persons from the age of 55. Between 2003 and 2012, around 20-30 percent of the beneficiaries took advantage of this offer. Together with scientists from the Saarland Cancer Registry and the University of Lübeck, Hermann Brenner and his colleagues at the DKFZ have examined whether and to what extent precautionary colonoscopy is effective ten years after its introduction.

Colon cancer usually develops slowly over years
Because colon cancer develops very slowly over many years in most cases, the full effect of the preventive measure will only take effect in the longer term. However, between 2003 and 2012, the age-standardized incidence rate fell by 13.8 percent in men and 14.3 percent in women. The age-standardized colorectal cancer mortality declined by 20.8 percent in men and by 26.5 percent in women. The sharp decline in newly diagnosed colorectal cancer cases selectively affected the age groups 55 years and older. According to the data, the incidence of new diseases had previously risen over several decades, only in the period of investigation did the trend reversal. On the other hand, there was no comparable decline in new cases in those under 55 who are not offered a screening test.

Avoid deaths from colonoscopy
On the basis of empirical data from the USA, the experts assume that the positive trend will continue and even intensify in Germany as well. "At colonoscopy, many tumors are discovered at an early stage with good chances of recovery, so the mortality goes back even more than the incidence of new disease," said epidemiologist Michael Hoffmeister of the DKFZ. And study director Hermann Brenner added: "Today, there are more than 60,000 colorectal cancer cases in Germany every year and more than 25,000 colorectal cancer deaths each year. Most of these cases could be avoided by a colonoscopy - this is the best argument for using this effective precautionary offer! ". (Ad)