Minimize the risk of illness with the rule of five

Colon cancer is the third most common tumor disease in Germany and the second most common in women. The likelihood of developing this depends on genetic and other factors. Most of them can be influenced.

“Among other things, diet and lifestyle habits are responsible for this,” says Michael Hoffmeister from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), who, together with other scientists, carried out a study on 4,000 colon cancer patients and 3,000 healthy controls.

If colon cancer is detected early, it is usually curable. Since there are usually no symptoms at the beginning, the tumor is often discovered late. (Source: Mohammed Haneefa Nizamudeen / Thinkstock by Getty-Images)

Colorectal cancer prevention with the “rule of five”

In the study published in the trade magazine “Gastroenterology”, Hoffmeister showed that everyone can significantly reduce their personal risk of colon cancer by combining as many healthy ways of life as possible. A “rule of five” can be derived from this“ derive, which is composed of the following factors:

1. No smoking
2. Low alcohol consumption
3. Healthy eating
4. A lot of movement
5. Normal body weight

Colon cancer screening: Lifestyle has the greatest impact

In recent years, more than 50 gene variants have been discovered that slightly increase the risk of colon cancer. Nevertheless, the rule of five applies regardless of the family risk of colon cancer. This means that those who have close relatives such as parents or siblings who have already had colon cancer can, despite a slightly increased risk, reduce their likelihood of becoming ill with the help of a healthy lifestyle, just as someone who has no family history.

“The recommendation to pay attention to a healthy lifestyle therefore applies to everyone, regardless of their genetic risk of colon cancer,” says Hoffmeister. The more of the healthy lifestyle factors the study participants combined, the lower the likelihood of developing colon cancer.

All factors of the “rule of five” are equally effective

Already following individual factors of the rule of five had a positive effect on the prevention of colon cancer. All five factors seem to be synonymous. Prudence Carr, the study’s lead author, describes it as follows: “It did not matter whether it was no smoking, healthy eating, or physical activity that was taken into account. With all variants, the study participants reduced their risk of colon cancer.”

Colon cancer: In the early stages, the “silent” disease is curable

Colon cancer is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. If the tumor is diagnosed early, the chances of recovery are very high.

However, colorectal cancer is also considered a “silent” disease. In most cases, especially in the early stages, there are no warning signs. In contrast to other types of cancer, colon cancer arises from precursors, the polyps. These are benign long before they degenerate into cancer. It is estimated that this process takes about ten years – a lot of time to prevent cancer.

Stool test and colonoscopy: methods for early detection

Early detection is therefore an important measure against cancer. With the help of preventive examinations, preliminary stages can be discovered and removed early – even before the tumor develops.

As part of the statutory colon cancer screening, you can have your stool examined annually from the age of 50: a so-called immunological stool test detects even the smallest amounts of blood that are not visible to the naked eye.

Men over 50 and women over 55 are recommended to have a colonoscopy. This examination is more reliable than the stool test. The intestine is viewed from the inside with an endoscope. The examination is also called colonoscopy. If the result is inconspicuous, it is sufficient to take the examination again after at least ten years.

Affected, where there may be special risks for Colon cancer should discuss with their doctors whether they will start regular screening tests sooner rather than at the age of 50.

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