Stuttgart. Participation rates in early cancer detection examinations for those with statutory health insurance have developed very positively in Baden-Württemberg over the past year. This is shown by the results of an analysis AOK With more than 20.9 million members (as of November 2021), the AOK is the second strongest type of health insurance… Baden-Württemberg and the Baden-Württemberg Cancer Association will present this in advance of this year’s “Cancer Prevention Day” on November 28th. Afterwards, participation in colonoscopies for colon cancer screening (plus 18.1 percent) and mammography screening were more common Early detection As part of prevention, early detection measures are used to detect diseases at an early stage… of breast cancer (plus 8 percent) as well as examinations for the early detection of skin cancer (plus 5.3 percent) and prostate cancer (plus 4.7 percent) there are significant increases compared to the comparable year 2019. The results are in the “Early Detection Monitor 2024” of the AOK Scientific Institute (WidO As a research and consulting institute, the WIdO (AOK Scientific Institute) provides… ) summarized.
Only in the early detection of cervical cancer (minus 2 percent compared to 2019) was the participation rate slightly below the level before the corona pandemic. The latest data from the early detection monitor for the first quarter of 2024 also confirm the overall positive picture. “The slumps of the pandemic years are finally a thing of the past,” says Ulrika Gebhardt, managing director of the Baden-Württemberg Cancer Association. “The many appeals over the last two years to catch up on missed examinations seem to be fruitful.” Early detection of cancer or pre-cancerous lesions can significantly increase the chances of a cure. “We are therefore continuing to campaign together for participation in the examinations – especially since, despite the positive trend in all cancer screening examinations, there is still considerable potential for improvement,” says Dr. Ralph Bier, doctor at AOK Baden-Württemberg.
Large regional differences in participation in skin cancer screening
The initiators are focusing on skin cancer screening for this year’s “Cancer Prevention Day” on November 28th. The participation rates here are the lowest in Germany compared to other early detection examinations. According to the WIdO early detection monitor, only around 20 to 30 percent of women and men have had this examination at least three times in the past ten years. Depending on the age group, 35 to 50 percent of people have not had a skin cancer screening at all in the past ten years. Men in younger age groups are particularly unlikely to take advantage of the offer. There are also clear regional differences in participation in skin cancer screening. An analysis of the take-up rates in the 400 districts and independent cities for the years 2021 to 2023 showed that the highest participation rates among women at over 50 percent were in Emmendingen, Rottweil and the Hohenlohe district (all Baden-Württemberg), in the Lower Saxony cities of Oldenburg, Gifhorn and Delmenhorst as well as in Offenbach in Hesse could be found. Among men, only Delmenhorst and the Hohenlohe district made it over the 50 percent mark. At the other end of the spectrum was the Bavarian city of Bamberg, with a participation rate of 13.2 percent for women and 12.7 percent for men. Particularly low participation rates were also recorded in Bayreuth in Bavaria, in the Rhein-Lahn district in Rhineland-Palatinate and in the Rheingau-Taunus district in Hesse.
Baden-Württemberg is at the top nationwide when it comes to taking advantage of skin cancer screenings. In the years 2021 to 2023, 41.1 percent of those insured by statutory health insurance in Baden-Württemberg had skin cancer screening at least once.
Survey shows great lack of knowledge about early detection of skin cancer
A representative Forsa survey commissioned by AOK Baden-Württemberg sheds light on the reasons for the low participation in skin cancer screening. Eligible respondents aged 35 and over who said they had not yet taken part in the early detection examination were asked why. Almost one in three of those surveyed (30 percent) said they were unaware. One in five cited long waiting times or uncertainty about eligibility. At least 11 percent of those surveyed stated that they did not consider screening necessary. 13 percent said they did not have time for this examination. “The results make it clear that a lot of educational work is still needed on this topic,” emphasizes Dr. Beer. “Especially in view of the increasing exposure to UV radiation due to climate change, this free offer should be provided by law Health insurance companies The 97 health insurance companies (as of January 26, 2022) in statutory health insurance are distributed across… “People with statutory health insurance over the age of 35 can have skin cancer screening carried out every two years by their family doctor or dermatologist upon presentation of their health card. “The best protection against skin cancer is consistent UV protection – a simple but effective measure to reduce your personal risk of skin cancer. The second important pillar of skin cancer preventionPrevention Prevention refers to health policy strategies and measures that aim to… is regular participation in check-ups. In most cases, skin cancer is curable if it is detected early enough,” adds Ulrika Gebhardt from the Baden-Württemberg Cancer Association.
The Forsa survey took place from March 22 to April 17, 2024; A total of 502 randomly selected people aged 18 and over were surveyed online in Baden-Württemberg.
Cancer Prevention Day annually on November 28th
The “Cancer Prevention Day” was launched in 2022 by the AOK and the German Cancer Society to increase awareness of early detection examinations. It takes place annually on November 28th. This year, the AOK is offering, among other things, interactive information about skin cancer checks according to the so-called “ABCDE” rule on aok.de. An updated version of the “Vorsorg-O-Mat” is also online. Here, users can find out about upcoming early detection examinations after entering individual information such as age and gender. Information films on the process and benefits of the individual early detection examinations complement the offer. Both partners will provide intensive information about the topic on their social media channels around “Cancer Prevention Day” on November 28th and encourage participation in the planned examinations.
AOK website for “Cancer Prevention Day”:
www.aok.de/tagderkrebsvorsorge
Cancer Association Baden-Württemberg e. V.:
The Baden-Württemberg Cancer Association e. V. provides information on the topic of cancer and carries out prevention projects to reduce the risk of developing cancer. He is committed to optimal oncological care and supports sick people and their families during this challenging time.
The association is non-profit and works independently of commercial interests. In order to continue our commitment to people with cancer in the future, the Cancer Association Baden-Württemberg e. V. relies on donations and funding.
Donation account at the Landesbank Baden-Württemberg IBAN: DE 97 6005 0101 0001 013900
Press contact of the Baden-Württemberg Cancer Association:
Nicole Seiffer
Tel.: 0711 848-10773
Fax: 0711 848-10779
info(at)krebsverband-bw.de
www.krebsverband-bw.de
Instagram: krebsverband.bw
Facebook: Baden-Württemberg Cancer Association
