Colon cancer risk factors and prevention in colorectal cancer

Large campaign against colon cancer should warn the population

"Do not let colon cancer be your destiny! Take your life into your own hands. Go to precaution. After all, colorectal cancer is harmless at an early stage, "is the slogan of the anti-colorectal cancer campaign of the Felix-Burda-Stiftung and thus initiates the month of March in colon cancer, which is intended to draw the population's attention to this topic. According to the Robert Koch Institute, about 27,900 women and 33,100 men in Germany suffer from colorectal cancer. According to the Felix Burda Foundation, more than 250,000 cases of colorectal cancer have been prevented by the preventive check-up.

The Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) also clarifies about colon cancer. In a recent press release, the BZgA cites colon cancer as the second most common cancer in women and the third most common in men. The disease risk increases with older age. Often, colon cancer is detected too late because the disease does not cause any discomfort in the early stages. The BZgA recommends regular screening tests because the earlier the disease is diagnosed, the greater the chances of recovery.

The immunological stool test

On the basis of a stool test, which should be done annually by women and men over the age of 50 years, it can be checked in the laboratory if there is any invisible blood in it. In April 2017, the immunological test was introduced for this purpose, which is considered more reliable than the previously used chemical procedure. If this test is positive, this may be an indication for colon cancer. However, blood in the stool can also have other causes such as hemorrhoids or inflammation of the bowel.

If colon cancer is suspected, a colonoscopy is performed

After a positive stool test is usually a colonoscopy (colonoscopy). The intestine is examined from the inside to confirm the diagnosis. During the examination, an elastic tube is inserted into the intestine. On the head of the hose are a camera and a headlight. If there are suspicious tumor precursors, the doctor can use small instruments over the tube to take samples or cut off polyps and carry away. You do not have to be afraid of the examination. As a rule, a sedative or anesthetic is obtained before the examination.

The health insurance funds finance the early detection

According to the BZgA, both statutory and private health insurance companies offer colonoscopy in the context of statutory colon cancer screening. This can be done twice at intervals of ten years as a prevention. The Stuhlbluttest is offered as an alternative and can be taken from 55 years every two years.

The best prevention is a healthy lifestyle

In addition to the screening tests, a healthy lifestyle can contribute to preventing the development of colon cancer. Too little exercise, overweight and tobacco and alcohol consumption are considered risk factors. But even with a healthy diet and as little alcohol as possible, a colon cancer can not be prevented with certainty. "It is therefore essential to also observe colonoscopy for the early detection of colorectal cancer," stresses Professor Dr. med. med. Wolf Schmiegel, Director of the Medical University Clinic Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr-University Bochum in a press release concerning the month of the colon cancer March of the German Society for Gastroenterology, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (DGVS).

Alcohol and colon cancer

"The relationship between high alcohol consumption and colorectal cancer risk is well documented in numerous studies," explains Professor Dr. med. med. Christian Trautwein, Director of the Medical Clinic III of the RWTH Aachen and media spokesman of the DGVS. An evaluation of 14 prospective cohort studies showed that consuming 100 grams of alcohol per week would be accompanied by a 15% increase in colorectal cancer risk. "If you regularly consume more alcohol, the risk increases even further," says Trautwein.

Nuts can help with colorectal cancer

Patients with stage III colorectal cancer can survive colon cancer thanks to nuts. Researchers at the Yale Cancer Center and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have found this in a recent study recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The researchers found that people with stage III colorectal cancer who regularly consume nuts have a significantly lower risk of cancer recurrence and mortality. (Vb)