German region hails endoscopies for cancer prevention:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
With over 600 endoscopies carried out by doctors in the northern area of Wurttemberg, the German region has hailed its early-detection screening programme for intestinal cancer as a huge success. Patients over the age of 49 can annually undergo an examination of their stools for occult blood and those over 55 can either opt for this method of detection, or an endoscopy, every ten years. Endoscopy is considered the most effective method of prevention, and last year 358 women and 261 men in North Wurttemberg underwent this type of examination. Endoscopy is also being promoted as part of an early detection method for other forms of cancer, such as cervical cancer.