A new analysis of five minutes could be reduced by more than 40% the number of deaths from colorectal cancer, say scientists.

The test is performed with a flexible sigmoid scope to detect and remove any polyps in the colon.
Colorectal tumors are the second leading cause of cancer death in the world, after lung, and about half of the people who develop them die because they are often detected late.

The test, known Flexi-Scope, is performed with a flexible sigmoid scope (a thin tube with a camera) inserted into the rectum to examine the lower intestine and remove any abnormal growths (polyps) that can become cancerous if not question.

According to researchers at Imperial College London, the analysis, which takes place in people between 55 and 64 years, has succeeded in reducing the incidence of colorectal cancer in 35% and mortality by 43%.

Experts believe that the majority of polyps that could eventually cause problems are present in individuals over 50 years.

And if these are removed, the chances of developing the disease can be reduced by 80%, says research published in the medical journal The Lancet.

The Heidelberg researchers had the benefit of colonoscopy according to indications from Monday at around 3300 Saarlanders asked. Previously, only the data had been available from clinical trials.

The investigation has been among people who had undergone in the past ten years, a colonoscopy, “found much less advanced stages of colorectal cancer.” “Especially in the left pane of the intestine is the risk for colorectal cancer and its precursors” drastically reduced, said the researchers. The results underline the great potential of colonoscopy for early detection of colon cancer.

The surveyed in the study Saarlander had attended a colonoscopy (colonoscopy) in the wake of the statutory scheme for cancer screening. They were asked whether they had undergone in the last ten years prior to the screening colonoscopy already a colonoscopy.

Accordingly, from the nearly 600 people who already had a colonoscopy behind, only 36 had advanced precancerous lesions in the intestine. This corresponds to 6.1 percent. The study found about 2,700 participants who were first to undergo a colonoscopy, at 308 persons (11.4 percent) such advanced stages.

In the so-called leftist, “descending” part of the intestine, where the cancer occurs most often discovered in the participants with previous colonoscopy two thirds less advanced precancerous lesions than in participants without previous colonoscopy.