Cancer provision from 50
Why women can go to colonoscopy five years earlier
From now on, women and men will be treated equally. Why this is what the investigation brings and how to really prepare for it
What is now changing for women in colonoscopy?
From April 1, 2025, the same rules apply to both genders in Germany: Then women can get a colonoscopy (colonoscopy) at the age of 50, instead of only 55. From now on, the health insurers for all of 50 and alternatively pay a test for blood in the stool every two years.
For the first time, women now have the same demands on colon cancer. The latter have so far been invited to colonoscopy from 50, while women between the ages of 50 and 54 were only able to take an annual test for blood in the stool.
How does such a colonoscopy work?
With colonoscopy you lie on the side and a thin hose with a camera is pushed into the large intestine from the anus. This searches for tumors or cancer precursors in the intestinal wall. The hose can also be inserted small wire slings or pliers, so that suspicious tissue can be removed directly during the examination. Usually the examination is somewhat uncomfortable, but not painful. In very rare cases, complications such as bleeding can occur. If you are very afraid of reflection, you can get a sedative or a light twilight sleep anesthetic from the doctor.
Do I have to prepare for the examination?
The intestine must be completely emptied for colonoscopy. Tags before, you should therefore do without difficult or slowly digestible such as whole grain bread. For the evening or the afternoon before the reflection, you also get a laxative from the doctor that causes strong diarrhea. You should go to the toilet so often until you only leave water.
Why were there different rules for women and men in Germany?
The background for the previous unequal treatment was data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), which for men dismissed a slightly higher risk of colon cancer than for women. International intestinal cancer guidelines have long recommended the same provision for men and women. Because even in women, the risk of colon cancer increases significantly in the 50th birthday: in 2022, seven out of 100,000 women aged 40 to 44 suffered colon cancer, but for the 50 to 54-year-olds there were already 23.
How well is cancer recognized in colonoscopy?
The examination is considered to be much more reliable than the stool test: 95 out of 100 intestinal cancer is found in the reflection according to the cancer information service. According to new data from the German Cancer Research Center, even many cancers can be prevented: 40 of 100 colon cancer cases that would be expected within ten years can be recognized at an early stage and another 34 prevented if benevolent growths are removed directly in the reflection before colon cancer develops from them.
Source: Stern
I’m Caroline, a journalist and author for 24 Hours Worlds. I specialize in health-related news and stories, bringing real-world impact to readers across the globe. With my experience in journalism and writing in both print and online formats, I strive to provide reliable information that resonates with audiences from all walks of life.
