BLITZ

With around 60,000 new cases and around 25,000 deaths per year, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Germany and the second most common cause of cancer deaths.

However, this should not be the case, as colorectal cancer is a disease that usually develops over many years and precursors in the form of polyps appear in the intestinal mucosa long before the actual disease. Early detection and removal of these precursors is therefore a very promising way of preventing the majority of new cases and deaths.

The most reliable method of early detection is colonoscopy, which has been offered in Germany since October 2002 as part of the nationwide cancer screening program. However, this is not used by everyone who is eligible. Less complex tests, such as stool tests, could help to motivate people who do not make use of a screening colonoscopy for prevention or early detection of colorectal cancer.

Since 2006, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg has been conducting the BLITZ study in cooperation with gastroenterology practices in Germany to evaluate the benefits of new stool tests and new blood tests for the early detection of colorectal cancer. For example, the results of the BLITZ study have already shown that immunological stool blood tests are superior to the previously used stool tests (guaiac-based stool blood tests).

In cooperation with gastroenterological practices in Germany, people undergoing screening colonoscopy have been included in the study since January 2006.

Patients who present for a screening colonoscopy at one of the participating practices are informed about the project by the attending physician during the information appointment. If they are interested in participating in the study, an additional small blood sample will be taken. 

We also ask our participants to provide a small stool sample and to fill test tubes before bowel cleansing for colonoscopy starts. In addition, the participants receive a questionnaire that they can fill out at home and bring back to the practice together with the stool sample for the colonoscopy appointment.

All persons can participate in this study,

• who make use of a screening colonoscopy and
• who have had no previous bowel disease.

The screening colonoscopy is offered to those insured with statutory health insurance from the age of 50.

Are you interested in the BLITZ study or do you have any questions? Then please contact our study center in Heidelberg.

BLITZ Study
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
Division of Clinical Epidemiology of Early Cancer Detection (C070)
Im Neuenheimer Feld 581
69120 Heidelberg, Germany

Tel. 06221 - 42 1323