Prevention against colon cancer: Why everyone should invest a day!

Prevention against colon cancer: Why everyone should invest a day!

In the month of March, which is dedicated to colon cancer prevention in Austria, the immense importance of preventive measures is highlighted. Helga Thurnher, the founder of the colon cancer self-help group, makes it clear that the belief that a healthy diet and the absence of previous illnesses in the family protect against the disease is a dangerous mistake. According to the experts, the lifetime risk of developing colon cancer is around five to six percent. What is alarming is that nine out of ten cases of colon cancer occur without a family history. This highlights the need for regular checkups, as early detection increases the cure rate to over 90 percent, as Dariya Kalcheva, a bowel specialist, points out. Colonoscopy examination can even prevent malignant tumors by detecting and removing dangerous polyps in a timely manner.

The role of self-help groups

Helga Thurnher's experiences are diverse and stem from her personal concerns. 17 years ago, when her husband was diagnosed with colon cancer, they founded a support group together to offer support to other sufferers. In the group, Thurnher saw how important it is to educate people about the disease in order to promote preventive examinations and thus detect the disease in good time. Your initiative has led to increased awareness of colon cancer in society. “It is always a wonderful experience to hear that someone has had a colonoscopy thanks to our information and was able to prevent an illness,” she says proudly. According to current statistics, polyps are found in more than a third of colonoscopies in people over 50, which can then be removed.

Preparing for a colonoscopy is often considered unpleasant, but Thurnher still advocates accepting this effort. “What’s one day of inconvenience compared to decades of suffering from cancer?” she asks rhetorically. As part of preventive care, there are over 250 certified centers in Austria that offer quality-assured preventive examinations so that patients can rely on careful and professional execution.