As a consequence, the corona lockdown has produced collateral economic, social and health damage in Germany, from which it is important to recover quickly. Especially the health of cardiovascular patients has suffered, but also of people with cancer because 50,000 tumour operations had to be postponed during the critical time of the virus spreading, so that beds could be kept free for seriously ill Covid-19 patients, according to the German Cancer Aid. Postponed diagnosis and therapy measures could lead to more life-threatening situations, explains President Gerd Nettekoven, because tumours continued to grow during the peak phase of the lockdown. However, higher tumor stages also mean that there are more deaths. After that, it may even be that there are more deaths due to corona measures than due to virus-induced diseases that can be fatal, Hendrik Wolff, habilitated specialist for radiation therapy and radio oncology at the Community Centre in Munich, points out. However, the blame for this lies not with politicians, because nobody, not even renowned virologists, knew how the SARS-CoV-2 virus develops and how it works. However, the expert in the field of tumour diseases strongly recommends a return to normality with the usual pre- and post-operative examinations and treatment of cancer, also because the risk of infection has been minimised by preventive measures. Smaller tumours have a better prognosis, explains the physician. Early detection is particularly important, especially in patients who have already been diagnosed and in tumours that are growing rapidly, such as lung and pancreatic cancer. Wolff believes that it is urgently necessary to restore the balance between the risk of infection with the virus and the benefit of medical examinations and interventions. The German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ) provides information on the free and voluntary screening of early detection programmes and which of them should take place at which time. Here is a brief but incomplete overview:
Women and men can be screened for skin cancer and colon cancer. A skin cancer examination is recommended from the age of 35 and then every two years. Colon cancer prevention for occult blood in the stool or by colonoscopy (colonoscopy) depending on sex from about 50 years of age. Men are also entitled to a prostate cancer check-up from the age of 45 and women to early detection tests of breast cancer and cervical cancer. From 50 to 69, women are automatically invited for mammography every two years. Cervical cancer, which is caused by human papillomaviruses (HPV), is also dangerous for young women. From the age of 20, cervical and cervical smear tests are therefore paid for by health insurance companies.
Other diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and kidney damage are not to be neglected and should be regularly checked in a preventive and health check-up. The Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) also provides detailed information on this.
Source: focus.de