1 Cervix

This is done The gynecologist examines the reproductive organs externally and internally. He then takes a smear test of the cervix (Pap test). To do this, he takes cells from the cervix using a special spatula. Researchers are currently testing whether a test for human papillomaviruses (HPV) is useful for the early detection of cancer in addition to the Pap test. HP viruses are the cause of cervical cancer
Why? Changes in cells can indicate cervical cancer or its precursors. If it is detected early, it can be treated more effectively
Who is it for? For women aged 20 and over
How often? Once a year
Costs Covered by statutory health insurance

2 Breast

This is done The doctor scans the breasts and the lymph nodes surrounding them for changes. In addition, every woman over 50 in Germany receives an invitation to a mammogram. This involves an X-ray examination of the breast
Why is this done? Both examinations enable doctors to detect abnormalities in the breast. Studies show that for every 1,000 women who have regular mammograms for ten years, one to two are saved from dying of breast cancer
For whom? Breast examination for women aged 30 and over, mammography for women between 50 and 69
How often? Scanning every year, mammography every two years
Costs Covered by statutory health insurance

3 Ovaries

This is done Using ultrasound, the ovaries are scanned for changes
Why is this done? Caution: Many experts do not consider this method to be useful. Studies show that women are often unnecessarily worried by misdiagnoses and that healthy ovaries are sometimes removed on the basis of false suspicions. Even medical associations now advise against this method. Information at www.igel-monitor.de
Who is it for? Doctors offer the ultrasound to all women as an individual health service (IGeL).
How often? Individually
Costs Between 10 and 50 euros. If ovarian cancer is suspected, the statutory health insurance fund pays

4 Bowel

This is done For the immunological stool test, you give a stool sample in a tube to the doctor. The doctor sends the sample to the laboratory for analysis. During a colonoscopy, the doctor uses a special device (colonoscope) to examine the large intestine
Why? The stool test can reveal hidden blood in the stool. This is an indication of the presence of bowel cancer. Colonoscopy can also make cancer or its precursors visible. These can be removed during the examination
For whom? Stool test from 50-54, colonoscopy from 55 years of age
How often? Stool test annually, colonoscopy every 10 years
Costs Covered by statutory health insurance

5 Prostate

This is done The doctor palpates the prostate. In addition, doctors can detect the concentration of prostate-specific antigen in the blood (PSA test)
Why is this done? The doctor can detect irregularities in the prostate at an early stage. An elevated PSA value can indicate a tumor. However, the PSA test is controversial and is not part of statutory screening
Who is it for? Palpation test for men aged 45 and over PSA test individually
How often? Palpation examination annually, PSA test as required
Costs The costs of the palpation examination are covered by the health insurance fund, the PSA test must be paid for by the patient (except in cases of suspected cancer). The test usually costs around 10 to 45 euros

6 Skin

This is done During skin screening, the entire body, including the head and mucous membranes, is examined for changes. The screening can be carried out by a dermatologist or a general practitioner with the appropriate additional qualifications
Why? Screening can detect precursors and early stages of skin cancer and remove them by means of a subsequent minor procedure
For whom? From the age of 35
How often? Every two years
Most of the costs are covered by health insurance. Those who want a particularly thorough procedure with an illuminated magnifying glass must pay for this themselves. The cost is then around 15 to 30 euros

Screening can save lives

The idea behind early detection examinations is as follows: If cancer is detected in time, doctors can treat the disease better and the chances of survival increase. The advantages of bowel cancer screening in particular cannot be denied: According to the German Cancer Research Center, colonoscopy prevented almost 10,000 cases of bowel cancer between 2003 and 2010. Mammography for women can also save lives: experts estimate that for every 1,000 women who undergo regular screening for ten years, one to two are saved from dying of breast cancer. Another examination specifically for women: the cervical smear test (Pap test). Since this test was introduced in the early 1970s, the number of women developing this type of cancer has fallen by 75 percent. Skin examinations, breast examinations (women) and prostate examinations (men) are also covered by health insurance from a certain age. However, there are also early detection methods that are not recommended.

Ovarian ultrasound: the benefit is questionable

"Ultrasound, which is often used for the early detection of ovarian cancer, has a particularly high number of false-positive findings," says Dr. Susanne Weg-Remers, Head of the Cancer Information Service in Heidelberg. A study of 70,000 women shows that there are no fewer deaths from ovarian cancer despite ultrasound, but there are more ovarian removals.

Good information is the be-all and end-all

All early detection methods have one thing in common: they involve certain risks that you should be aware of. Firstly, there is the problem of false-positive results and the resulting overtreatment. This is because not every cell degeneration that is detected during early detection develops into a malignant tumor. This leads to unnecessary treatments. "In addition, this is always a great psychological burden for those affected," says the cancer expert. The opposite of such overtreatment is false-negative results. In this case, an existing tumor is not detected despite screening. "The decision for or against screening is therefore very individual. Inform yourself thoroughly before you decide," says Dr. Weg-Remers. If you have any questions, the Cancer Information Service is at your disposal (free of charge, daily 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.: 0800-4203040; e-mail: krebsinformationsdienst@dkfz.de; web: www.krebsinformationsdienst.de). And with the help of the "IGeL-Monitor", you can obtain comprehensive information about individual health services(www.igelmonitor.de). Here you will find a rating for each method.