Unfortunately, not all Germans over the age of 45 take advantage of bowel cancer screening. If everyone went for regular cancer screening, 85 to 96% of all bowel cancer cases could be cured. But at least we now know that eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables protects against bowel cancer. Hands off sausage, however: sausage can remain in the intestine for days before it is fully digested, drastically increasing the risk of bowel cancer.