Screening examinations, to which all people with statutory health insurance are entitled, make it possible to detect bowel cancer at an early stage. They can be used to detect the first signs. This can sometimes prevent the tumor from developing and/or spreading. These examinations are intended for men and women from the age of 50 - because the risk of developing bowel cancer increases now.

But beware!

Some patients are at risk of developing bowel cancer even at a young age. In this case, it is advisable to consult your doctor earlier about suitable preventive measures in order to detect a potential disease as early as possible. The German Society for Combating Diseases of the Stomach, Intestine and Liver as well as Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders (Gastro-Liga e. V.) points this out. Risk factors are: several cases of bowel cancer in the family and chronic bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. One of the simplest examinations is the so-called occult blood test. This checks whether traces of blood are present in the stool. The reason: the first pathological tissue changes can bleed.

Detect preliminary stages and remove them immediately

A colonoscopy is also useful for detecting bowel cancer. From the age of 55, the doctor - in this case the gastroenterologist - examines the bowel with a colonoscope. This is a thin tube with a camera and a small loop at the tip. If he discovers precancerous lesions, he immediately removes them with the snare. As Dr. Christian Pox from the gastroenterology department at St. Joseph-Stift in Bremen explains, most patients undergo a colonoscopy quickly and without any problems. In addition to screening, a healthy lifestyle can also provide protection. Studies confirm this. For example, regular exercise, which also makes us sweat a little, reduces the risk of illness. This is because it strengthens the immune system and ensures that insulin is better utilized. An elevated insulin level is suspected of accelerating cell growth - unfortunately also of tumor cells.

It is better to eat meat in moderation

No less important is a healthy diet with vegetables, fruit, salad, wholegrain products... Meat, on the other hand, should be eaten in moderation, with women eating 300 grams and men a maximum of 600 grams per week. One reason: processed meat is considered carcinogenic if it is eaten too often. This is apparently due to substances that are created during production. Smoking can also promote bowel cancer. It has now been discovered that smokers are more prone to colon polyps. These mucosal growths are initially benign, but can become malignant.