1,880,725 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2020. Early prevention could prevent many diseases. The first signs often go unnoticed. Initially benign growths in the mucous membrane, so-called polyps, can then develop into tumors in various places in the intestine. These preliminary stages often appear about ten to 15 years before the development of colon cancer.

Doctors can detect polyps during a colon cancer screening with a colonoscopy and often remove them immediately as a precaution. With the following nine questions, you can determine whether you belong to the colon cancer risk group and should take preventive measures.

1. Are you 50 years or older?
The risk of colon cancer increases with age. According to the Robert Koch Institute, the average age at onset is 69 for men and 75 for women. But the first signs often appear much earlier. Doctors therefore recommend regular check-ups from the age of 50.

If you are 50 or older, your health insurance company will take care of the annual stool test. From the age of 55, doctors also recommend a colonoscopy, which you should repeat after ten years.

During a colonoscopy, the doctor examines the intestine for growths in the mucous membrane. He can usually remove these immediately, at least when it comes to the typical polyps.

2. Have you noticed blood in your stool?
Have you ever had blood in your stool? In any case, this is a warning sign and can indicate a serious illness. Be sure to clarify such a finding with your family doctor.

Complaints such as abdominal pain and constipation are comparatively harmless in most cases. But they can also indicate an intestinal disease. If the symptoms last longer, you should have the cause clarified by a doctor.

3. Have you ever had polyps?
Polyps can increase the risk of colon cancer. If you have already had such benign growths removed, you should have your intestines examined by a doctor. Regular preventive and follow-up care is important in order to identify and treat recurring polyps at an early stage.

4. Do you have a hereditary or family risk?
If someone in your family has already developed colon cancer, you are probably at an increased risk. Doctors distinguish between hereditary and familial colon cancer.

According to the German Cancer Research Center, the risk of developing colorectal cancer is about twice as high if there is a family history. This is especially true for people whose direct relatives are affected before the age of 50. The so-called Lynch syndrome is one of the most common hereditary forms. If your family has a history of hereditary cancer, you should talk to a doctor about your personal risk and suitable preventive measures. Lynch syndrome patients over the age of 25 should have regular colonoscopies.

5. Do you have ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease?
Intestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease promote the development of cancer. Anyone who already suffers from chronic intestinal inflammation should therefore also attend regular colon cancer screenings.

Polyps and colon cancer can develop due to the constant irritation of the intestinal mucosa. This is especially true if you have had the disease for more than ten years and it affects most of the colon.

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Do you have type 2 diabetes?
If you have type 2 diabetes, you have a three times higher risk of colon cancer compared to people who do not have diabetes. Insulin, which is important for treatment, not only lowers blood sugar but also promotes growth. This favors the development of tumor cells. When starting diabetes treatment, you should therefore discuss with your doctor whether a colonoscopy makes sense.

7. Do you smoke?
What is less well known is that smoking not only increases the likelihood of lung cancer, but also increases the risk of other forms of cancer. According to studies, long-term nicotine consumption can damage the intestinal cells. But even occasional smoking increases the probability, so you should definitely avoid cigarettes.

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8. Do you exercise regularly and for a sufficient amount of time?
If you move too little, you have an increased risk of colon cancer. Doctors therefore recommend physical activity at least three times a week. Scientific studies have shown that just 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity per day reduces the risk of colon cancer. According to the World Health Organization, adequate exercise in Europe could prevent around 14 percent of cancer cases in men and around 16 percent in women.

9. Are you overweight? Is your diet unhealthy?
Diet plays an important role in colorectal cancer. Because one-sided food with a lot of animal fat and red meat increases the risk of disease. Therefore, make sure you eat a balanced diet with lots of fiber from fruit and vegetables.