Sunday, February the 4th, was World Cancer Day. In Germany, approximately 450,000 individuals fall ill with some kind of cancer each year. Many of these cases would have been avoidable through prevention. Stefanie J. Klug is professor of epidemiology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and has been performing research on the topic of "cancer" for years. In the interview, she provides suggestions and explains how, in her opinion, cancer could best be contained.
Professor Klug, how do you assess the spread of cancer in Germany?
"There are certain kinds of cancer in which we have already achieved great success for their prevention and therapy, while other types exist which still show a potential for improvement. Here, prevention is of the greatest importance. Presently, 30 to 50 percent of all cancerous illnesses could already be prevented before they emerge."
That is an enormous amount!
"Certainly, the three primary risk factors are poor nutrition, smoking and too little movement. If this is taken into account, a great deal can already be won."
What does that mean, precisely?
"With a view on smoking, the data situation is very clear: Among other things, smoking can lead to cancerous diseases. Fortunately, men in Germany are meanwhile smoking less - and the cases of cancer of the lungs are decreasing accordingly. With women, the opposite is unfortunately the case."
The second mainstay for precaution is movement?
"Correct. The problem is that many people simply move too little. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 150 minutes of movement per week. In the meantime, there are indications that this might be too little. It is important to reduce the time spent sitting and being passive, for example by avoiding the elevator or the escalator, and instead taking the stairs."
What tips can you give regarding nutrition?
"Here as well, the WHO recommendations should be followed. Especially important is to eat a lot of vegetables, fruit and full grains. In addition, you should eat only small amounts of red meat and instead eat more fish. Aside from this, meals with a high proportion of salt - as is to be found in ready-made meals, for example - are just as harmful, as are foods with a high sugar and calorie content like soft drinks."
Which further measures do you think are important?
"The probability of surviving, for most tumors, is associated with the individual stage in which they are diagnosed. Here, the earlier, the better is valid. Consequently, screenings are particularly important for the early recognition of cancer."
Are further improvements in these measures possible in Germany?
"I think that organized programs are of central importance. This means, in each of the sensitive age groups, that all residents must be contacted and invited to perform the preventive medical examinations. The health insurance companies then pay for the examination. In a study, we could prove that the personal invitations are important in order to reach all members of society, especially the elderly and citizens with a lower social status.
Currently, it is still dependent to a great degree on the initiative of the individual and/or the treating physician. Only really well-organized thus far is the mammography screening for early recognition of cancer of the breast."
Overall, how do you assess the measures taken in Germany?
"In Germany, we have the national cancer plan and, since 2013, we have the Early Cancer Identification and Registry Law (KFRG), and there is an organized screening for the early recognition of breast cancer. A supplementary, organized screening program will be introduced for cervical and colon cancer in the near future. For the early recognition of cancer, I think that we are progressing nicely altogether. Nevertheless, for the prevention of cancer, there is still a very great potential!"
To the Homepage of the Chair of Epidemiology
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Stefanie J. Klug
Chair of Epidemiology
Georg-Brauchle Ring 60/62
80992 Munich
Telephone: 089 289 24950
Email: Stephanie.Klug(at)tum.de
Interview: Fabian Kautz
Photo: TUM