At the start of International Colon Cancer Month in March, Krebshilfe and ÖGGH are calling for colon cancer screening for those over 45.
Vienna (OTS) – Based on the evidence base and the recommendations of the National Cancer Screening Committee, the Austrian Cancer Aid and the Austrian Society for Gastroenterology and Hepatology (ÖGGH) have updated their prevention recommendations for effective colon cancer prevention as follows:
Women and men: from 45 for colon cancer prevention
What is new is that either colonoscopy or the FIT stool test is recommended for colon cancer screening:
• Colonoscopy (intestinal examination) for women and men over 45 every 10 years or
• FIT stool test (new generation stool test) from 45 at least every 2 years
Colonoscopy = PREVENTION, FIT stool test = EARLY DETECTION
Krebshilfe and ÖGGH point out the different objectives of the two examination methods available. The colonoscopy is a PREVENTIONAL measure, the stool test is used for EARLY DETECTION. “Colonoscopy offers the great advantage that polyps as possible precursors can be removed in a timely manner and thus the development of colon cancer can be prevented,” says Univ.-Prof. Dr. Peter Fickert, President of the ÖGGH. “Colonoscopy is certainly the gold standard in preventing colon cancer,” says Cancer Aid President Univ.-Prof. Dr. Paul Sevelda. “However, the new generation of stool tests (FIT) is a good option for all those people who may not be able to decide to have a colonoscopy.”
Colonoscopy at places with quality certificates
In order to be sure that the preventive colonoscopy is carried out with the appropriate quality, Krebshilfe and ÖGGH recommend those places that have a “quality certificate for colorectal cancer prevention”. A current list of all positions is available at www.krebshilfe.net and www.oeggh.at.
Colon cancer: Third most common cancer in men and women
In recent years, appropriate campaigns and improvements in diagnostics and therapy have made it possible to reduce age-standardized new cases by 20% and mortality from colon cancer by 30%. “Despite these successes, colon cancer is still the third most common cancer in men and women,” says Univ.-Prof. Dr. Peter Fickert, President of the ÖGGH. “I appeal to men and women aged 45 and over to definitely take advantage of effective colon cancer prevention. Please be really selfish for once. Be selfish about your health!” says Fickert.
Rapid and Austria-wide uniform colon cancer screening
“With the slogan “Don’t wait” we want to make it clear to the population again this year that suffering can be avoided and lives saved if the options for effective colon cancer prevention are used,” said Cancer Aid President Univ. Prof. Dr. Paul Sevelda. “But at the same time, the slogan is also aimed at those responsible for health policy to implement the planned colon cancer early detection program quickly and uniformly throughout Austria,” says Sevelda.
Encouragers – 12 colon cancer patients tell their story
On February 20, 2024, Krebshilfe and ÖGGH presented the book “Mutmacher:innen – Countering COLON CANCER with a SMILE”, in which 12 women and men – including Federal Minister Johannes Rauch – tell their story and want to encourage others. All information about the book
Brochures “Colon cancer prevention” and “Colon cancer”
Both brochures are available free of charge from the Krebshilfe service@krebshilfe.net and are available for download at www.dontwait.at and www.krebshilfe.net.
Closed Facebook group “Colon Cancer Austria”
The closed FB patient group is an additional offer from Krebshilfe in addition to the daily personal, telephone or online advice provided by the 63 Cancer Aid advice centers. Link for joining requests:
Questions & Contact:
For questions: Austrian Cancer Aid Doris Kiefhaber Management & Project Management “Don’t wait” Tuchlauben 19/10, 1010 Vienna Tel. +43-676/502 43 72 kiefhaber@krebshilfe.net www.dontwait.at; www.krebshilfe.net
