[Actual state of knowledge of the german population about the early detection of colorectal cancer--a study by the "Stiftung LebensBlicke" in cooperation with the institute for demoscopy in Allensbach].

Colorectal cancer is the most common cancer in Germany. The LebensBlicke foundation and it's supporting alliance have or many years, like others, been pushing information campaigns abour early detection measures and their chances for the general population. With the aid of the institute for public opinion research in Allensbach a representative cross-sectional investigation about the state of knowledge, opinions and attitudes concerning this topic was carried out. Surprisingly, it was demonstrated that an information deficit no longer exists and that especially people of older age are concerned about this topic. It is also remarkable that more than 40 % of the individuals over 50 years of age have had a colonoscopy at least once in their lifetime, that there is still a lack of knowledge in terms of familiy and genetic risk factors and that a doctor's recommendation is the most important driving factor to choose to undertake preventive measures. The data of this investigation will of course influence not only the work of the foundation in the next years, but should also be of major importance for medical societies and last not least for the politicians who control the health system.