As of: March 29, 2024, 8:10 a.m
By: Natalie Hull-Deichsel
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The diagnosis of colon cancer often comes as a complete surprise to those affected. Attentive people can notice the first warning signs of cancer 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 in Germany develop colon cancer every year. In total, over 58,000 people are diagnosed every year. On average, men around 72 and women around 75 are affected. But more and more younger people are also developing colon cancer. Colon cancer can develop even in people under 40 years of age. “These are patients with a family history of colon cancer. These are patients who have abnormalities in bowel movements, especially constipation. These are patients who have noticed blood in their stools,” says gastroenterologist Dr. Karsten Wursthorn told
Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR)
. According to Dr., it is also recommended for diffuse abdominal pain. Wursthorn undergoes a colonoscopy for further clarification. The earlier symptoms are correctly interpreted and a doctor makes the diagnosis, the better treatment options can be effective and, in the best case, the cancer can even be cured. Look out for certain signs that could indicate colon cancer.
Detecting colon cancer early: The first symptoms can appear five to ten years beforehand
Colon cancer is an insidious disease that can become apparent years before with non-specific symptoms such as severe tiredness, fatigue, malaise and stomach pain. (Symbolic image) © sergiomonti/Imago
The intestine is a very active organ in that the entire intestinal mucosa is renewed from so-called stem cells within a few days. Ultimately, “errors” can also creep in during cell division, according to the
German Cancer Aid Foundation
. Most of these errors will be corrected immediately, but some may persist. This can then lead to the genetic makeup of the cells changing - in the worst case, becoming a malignant tumor cell and a growing tumor. Certain risk factors can promote this process.
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Colon cancer: What are the risk factors?
A crucial risk factor for colon cancer is getting older. In addition to age, there are other factors that increase the risk of colon cancer:
Smoke
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. Intestinal polyps are protrusions in the intestinal mucosa that, like adenomas, are initially considered benign tumors, but can degenerate into malignant tumors and cancer over time. Typically, polyps do not cause pain or discomfort.
Immediate family members suffering from colon cancer
Close relatives with stomach, bladder, skin, endometrial or ovarian cancer
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Intestinal cancers 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. Some people affected can feel signs or non-specific symptoms even in the early stages. The body sends warning signs that you should pay attention to, as the
German Cancer Society
recommends:
Pale complexion
Persistent tiredness despite getting enough sleep
fatigue
Enlarged lymph nodes
Loss of performance
Weight loss
Flatulence
Recurrent, cramping abdominal pain that lasts for more than a week
Hard abdominal wall, palpable hardening on the abdomen
Frequent urge to defecate
Noticeably foul-smelling stool
Changed bowel habits, for example pencil-thin stools
Alternation of constipation and diarrhea
Blood in the stool
Red or black stools
Mucus in the stool
Early detection of cancer through colonoscopy can save lives
Prevent cancer or detect it early: It is essential to have an early detection examination
Many people find the idea unpleasant and embarrassing, some are afraid of pain - but the colonoscopy is painless and patients simply sleep through it due to light anesthesia. The procedure only takes around 20 minutes; those affected do not feel anything and are usually back to fitness quite quickly afterwards. The unpleasant thing about the early detection examination, as some patients report, is the removal process. In order for the gastroenterologist to have a good view inside the intestine, patients should drink a laxative to empty the intestines before the examination. It usually takes two to three hours to completely empty.
What you should always keep in mind and what doctors always point out: Ultimately, it means less than a day of effort for early cancer detection, with preparation and examination - but one day that can save lives. Ultimately, colon cancer can only be detected early and, in the best case, cured through an early detection test, a colonoscopy.
All statutory health insurance companies in Germany cover the costs of colonoscopy for preventative care for men between the ages of 50 and 54 and women between 50 and 54 once a year - every two years for those aged 55 and over. 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 they are 45 to 50 years old.
If you observe any of the symptoms mentioned, you should consult a doctor. Such symptoms can also occur with other illnesses or even benign intestinal diseases. It is therefore important to have the symptoms clarified through appropriate examinations in any case.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.