Colon cancer often takes those affected by surprise.
The disease develops gradually.
The first signs can be noticeable years in advance.
According to
the German Cancer Aid Foundation,
around 80 out of 100,000 men and around 59 out of 100,000 women develop bowel cancer in Germany every year.
In total, over 58,000 people are diagnosed each year.
On average, men are affected around the age of 72 and women around 75.
However, more and more younger people are also developing colorectal cancer.
Colon cancer can develop even in people under the age of 40.
“These are patients with colon cancer in the family.
These are patients who have abnormal bowel movements, especially constipation.
These are patients who have noticed blood in their stool," says gastroenterologist Dr.
Karsten Wursthorn to the
North German Broadcasting Corporation
.
Even with diffuse abdominal pain, according to Dr.
Wursthorn a colonoscopy for further clarification.
The earlier symptoms are correctly interpreted and a doctor makes the diagnosis, the better therapy options can take effect and, in the best case, the cancer can even be cured.
Look out for certain signs that could indicate colon cancer.
Early detection of colorectal cancer: The first symptoms can appear five to ten years earlier
+
Colorectal cancer is an insidious disease that can make itself felt years earlier through non-specific symptoms such as severe tiredness, exhaustion, malaise and abdominal pain.
© sergiomonti/Imago
The intestine is a very active organ, insofar as the entire intestinal mucosa is renewed within a few days from so-called stem cells.
According to the German Cancer Aid Foundation
, "errors" can also creep in during cell division
.
Most of these errors are corrected immediately, but some may remain.
This can then lead to the genetic material of the cells changing - in the worst case to a malignant tumor cell and a growing tumor.
Certain risk factors can favor this process.
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Colorectal cancer: what are the risk factors?
A key risk factor for colorectal cancer is aging.
In addition to age, there are other factors that increase the risk of colon cancer:
Smoking
alcohol consumption
overweight
Lack of exercise
Low-fiber diet and high consumption of red meat such as beef or sausages
Previous illnesses, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
Immediate family members with colon polyps
Immediate family members who have had colon cancer
Close relatives with stomach, bladder, skin, womb lining or ovarian cancer
However, intestinal carcinomas do not grow overnight, but very slowly.
On average, it can take five to ten years for a small cluster of cells to develop into a malignant tumor.
Signs or non-specific symptoms can be felt by some of those affected in the early stages.
The body sends warning signs to look out for, as recommended by the
German Cancer Society
:
Pale complexion
Persistent tiredness despite getting enough sleep
exhaustion
Enlarged lymph nodes
drop in performance
weight loss
gas
Repeated cramping abdominal pain lasting more than a week
Hard abdominal wall, palpable hardening on the abdomen
Frequent urge to defecate
Noticeably foul-smelling stool
Altered stool habits, such as pencil-thin stools
Alternation of constipation and diarrhea
blood in the stool
Red or black stool
mucus in the stool
Preventing cancer: essential for an early detection examination
Many people find the thought unpleasant, embarrassing, some are afraid of pain - but the colonoscopy is painless, patients simply oversleep it.
The procedure lasts only about 20 minutes, those affected do not feel anything and are usually fit again quite quickly.
The unpleasant thing about the early detection examination, as some patients report, is the process of purging.
In order for the gastroenterologist to have a good view of the inside of the intestine, patients should drink a laxative before the examination to empty the intestine.
It usually takes two to three hours for it to be completely drained.
What you should always keep in mind and what doctors always point out: Ultimately, it means less than a day's work for early detection of cancer, with preparation and examination - a day that can save lives.
Colorectal cancer can ultimately only be detected at an early stage by means of the early detection examination, the colonoscopy.
All statutory health insurance companies in Germany cover the cost of a colonoscopy for preventive care once a year for men between the ages of 50 and 54 and women between the ages of 50 and 54 – every two years from the age of 55.
The colonoscopy is even more reliable than the stool test and precancerous lesions can be removed immediately.
People who have risk factors should, in consultation with their doctor, consider having a colonoscopy before the age of 45-50.
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If you observe any of the above symptoms, you should consult a doctor.
Such symptoms can also occur with other diseases or even benign intestinal diseases.
It is therefore important to have the symptoms clarified in any case by appropriate examinations.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.
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