Prevention can save lives: More colon cancer cases in younger people – 3 symptoms you can’t ignore
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Colorectal cancer will increase in people under 50 in the next few years, figures already show. If detected early, it is easily treatable. Colon cancer specialist Jürgen F. Riemann says what signs you need to look out for.
Why is colon cancer screening so important?
According to current figures from the Robert Koch Institute, around 55,000 people develop colon cancer every year and around 24,000 die from it. Men are affected significantly more often than women. Colon cancer does not develop overnight; it usually develops from benign precursors, called polyps.
Because of its long development period, colorectal cancer is one of the very few diseases in which preliminary stages can be detected and removed through regular preventive examinations. Then the cancer won’t develop in the first place! On the other hand, colon cancer can be detected at a very early stage and saves further measures such as chemotherapy after endoscopic/surgical removal.
Prof. Dr. Jürgen F. Riemann, FACP, completed his medical studies in Tübingen and Innsbruck and received a DFG scholarship in the USA. After his specialist training in Hamburg and Erlangen, where he completed his habilitation, he was director of the Medical Clinic C in Ludwigshafen from 1985 to 2008. Founder of the Lebensblicke Foundation and former chairman of the Gastroliga. He is a member of the German Cancer Foundation, has been awarded several medals and is an honorary member of professional societies. Author of around 600 publications and co-author of a textbook.
At what age and how often should you go for colon cancer screening?
According to previous experience, the disease rate increases significantly after the age of 50. People with statutory health insurance can therefore take advantage of preventive examinations at the age of 50. Colonoscopy is currently required for men from this age onwards, and for women only from the age of 55.
The currently common immunological stool tests are available for both genders from the age of 50. The stool test is only fully effective if it is carried out annually, or at least every two years. Only regular use guarantees a high level of accuracy! If you have a family history of colon cancer (colon cancer in your biological family), screening can be recommended as early as age 45.
It is important to note that colon cancer rates in people under 50 are expected to increase in the coming years. Data from the USA proves this; Developments there also come to us around eight to ten years later. This could mean that we are facing a discussion about bringing the age of entry into colon cancer prevention forward to 45 years.
What prevention methods are there and how do they differ?
Every examination should be preceded by a medical consultation with information about the opportunities and risks of prevention. The insured then have two fundamentally different options available to them.
The low-threshold one immunological stool test (Stool for non-visible blood) detects human hemoglobin and is therefore very sensitive. Its accuracy for carcinomas is approximately 70-75%.
Die Colonoscopy (Colonoscopy) allows, after thorough bowel preparation, an insight into the entire length of the bowel and thus the recognition of changes. Polyps (precursors) can be removed in the same session and colon cancer can be prevented; Early-stage colon cancer can also be resected endoscopically. Colonoscopy has an accuracy rate of well over 90% to 95%.
Can lifestyle affect the risk of colon cancer?
Today it can be considered certain that lifestyle plays a decisive role in the development of colon cancer. These include, above all, the Nutrition (lots of red meat, little fiber, refined carbohydrates, “junk food”) as well lack of exercise (Sitting has become another risk factor). Daily walks alone (not strolling, but running) can reduce the risk by around 30-40%.
What symptoms should lead you to see a doctor?
Colorectal cancer (unfortunately) only develops symptoms very late. Alarmsymptome are
Visible blood in the stool, noticeable change in bowel habits (change from normal stool, constipation and diarrhea) and abdominal pain
At that point at the latest, a careful medical examination is required.
What are the next steps after a positive result?
If an immunological stool test is positive, a colonoscopy is absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, there is still a lot of catching up to do here, as not every positive test is clarified but is repeated if necessary. This is negligent! If it is colon cancer, a decision must be made as to whether it can be removed locally using the colonoscope or whether it needs to be operated on. The further treatment steps then depend largely on the diagnosed stage of the colon cancer.
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Colorectal cancer will increase in people under 50 in the next few years, figures already show. If detected early, it is easily treatable. Colon cancer specialist Jürgen F. Riemann says what signs you need to look out for.
Outlook: Anyone who has normal findings (no polyps) during their first preventative colonoscopy has at least ten years until their next check-up.
Why is participation in the preventive examinations offered by health insurance companies only moderate?
Cancer is a fearful topic. Many people tend to suppress it. Although the stool test is simple and safe to use, it has an unsavory background for some people. Colonoscopy is still considered risky for some people, although many studies show that it is very safe and has hardly any side effects or complications.
What would need to be done to increase participation rates?
The current organization of the administration of the immunological stool test is very cumbersome: it requires three visits to the doctor. The patient must collect the test from the practice, bring it back to the practice after it has been carried out and then, if necessary, find out the test result in a third step. There is now a nationwide invitation process through the health insurance companies. It would be much easier to send the test along and at least save a visit to the doctor.
There are currently model projects that attempt to evaluate digital early detection of colon cancer. They use their own apps through which the stool test can be ordered and then sent by the patient themselves. The result will be communicated to the health insurance company.
The good news: In the last 10-15 years, the incidence of new cases and mortality has decreased by 20-30%, despite moderate participation. So it could and should get a lot better.
This text comes from an expert from the FOCUS online EXPERTS Circle. Our experts have a high level of specialist knowledge in their subject area and are not part of the editorial team. Learn more.