Early diagnosis of colorectal cancer: A preventive task in occupational health

Morbidity of colorectal cancer is still accreting; therefore in 2003 a total of 57000 patients fell ill and about 28000 died due to colorectal carcinoma. According to the etiology, many different factors are currently in discussion. However, as in about 25-30% of the cases familial clustering can be observed one of the most probable might be the genetic predisposition. Nevertheless only in 3% of all cases this predisposition is also scientifically assured. The high average age of manifestation raised the question if there might be also an occupational relationship for colorectal carcinoma in tense of an occupational disease. Therefore there is sight for occupational health to contribute to early diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma within the scope of routine check-up, health management and research of occupational diseases.