Every year, approximately 158 out of every 100,000 people in Germany over the age of 55 are diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and the second most common cancer in women. Smoking and obesity are the highest risk factors for colorectal cancer.
Lack of exercise and a low-fiber diet with a high proportion of red meat and processed meat and sausage products also increase the risk. Statistically speaking, men are more likely to be affected by colorectal cancer than women.
RECOGNIZING COLORECTAL CANCER
Your risk of developing colorectal cancer is higher if
• You smoke
• You drink alcohol regularly
• You are overweight
• You don't get enough exercise
• You eat a low-fiber diet and consume a lot of meat or sausage products
• You suffer from severe and prolonged inflammation of the colon mucosa (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease).
• There is a history of colorectal cancer in your family, especially if your relatives were younger than 45 when they became ill.
• You have other types of cancer (e.g., stomach, bladder, skin, endometrial, or ovarian cancer).
• You or your immediate family members have had or currently have colon polyps. Certain types of colon polyps (known as adenomatous polyps) are considered to be a precursor to colon cancer.
Not all polyps are easy to detect visually. However, in order to be able to detect these as well, especially during colonoscopy, we use artificial intelligence in our practice to make colonoscopies even more effective and safer.
We use the DISCOVERY™ system from Pentax for this purpose. It can assist in the detection of inconspicuous lesions and draws attention to potential lesions. This means that the probability of detecting these inconspicuous polyps is up to 26% higher than without “artificial intelligence.”
Nevertheless, “artificial intelligence” is only an aid in endoscopy and does not replace the many years of experience of the endoscopist.
We are delighted to be able to offer you this innovative technology in our practice.
