Undergo a cancer screening examination

From a certain age, people with statutory health insurance are entitled to an annual examination for the early detection of cancer.

Statutory early detection examinations for women

• between the ages of 20 and 34: annual examination of the genital area
  • targeted questioning (e.g. questions about bleeding disorders, discharge)
  • Inspection of the cervix
  • Cancer smear and cytological examination
  • gynaecological palpation
  • Counselling
• between the ages of 35 and 65: genital examination and gynaecological examination every 3 years
  
  • Combination examination consisting of a cytological smear from the cervix and an HPV test (test for genital infections with human papillomaviruses); a smear taken from the cervix is examined for both HPV and cell changes
  • abnormal findings are further clarified as part of early detection
  • clinical examination with medical history, gynaecological palpation, examination of the genital skin region (as with the annual physical examination for 20 to 34-year-old women; this annual examination for women aged 35 and over takes place every third year in conjunction with the combination examination of cytological smear and HPV test)
  • Counselling about the result
• from the age of 30: annual breast examination
  • specific questioning (e.g. questions about changes/discomfort of the skin and breast)
  • Palpation of the breasts and the associated lymph nodes
  • Instructions for breast self-examination
• from the age of 35, additional skin examination every two years
  • targeted questioning (e.g. questions about changes to the skin and complaints)
  • standardised full-body examination of the entire skin including the hairy head and all body skin folds
• supplementary colon and rectum examination:
  • at the age of 50 to 54 years annually:
    • Questioning about faecal abnormalities and advice on colon cancer
    • Stool examination for hidden blood (immunological test)
  • from the age of 55:
    • either a complete colonoscopy, which you can repeat once after ten years at the earliest if the findings are normal , or
    • A faecal examination for hidden blood every two years
• between the ages of 50 and 75: mammography screening for the early detection of breast cancer every two years at the written invitation of the Centre for Mammography Screening Baden-Württemberg in a certified screening unit
  • X-ray of both breasts
  • Double diagnosis of the X-ray images by two independent examiners

Statutory early detection examinations for men

• from the age of 35: skin examination every two years
  • targeted questioning (e.g. about changes in the skin and complaints)
  • standardised full-body examination of the entire skin, including the hairy head and all body skin folds
• from the age of 45, additional annual prostate and genital examination
  • targeted questioning
  • Palpation of the prostate from the rectum, palpation of the testicles, penis and inguinal lymph nodes
• supplementary colon and rectum examination:
  • at the age of 50 to 55 years annually:
    • Questioning about faecal abnormalities and advice on colon cancer
    • Stool examination for hidden blood (immunological test)
  • from the age of 50:
    • either a complete colonoscopy, which you can repeat once after ten years at the earliest if the findings are normal, or
    • A faecal examination for hidden blood every two years (from the age of 55)

You must pay for other cancer screening examinations yourself (e.g. targeted skin inspection by a dermatologist, mammography before 50, measurement of intraocular pressure),

• if they are purely early detection measures and
• You do not have them carried out to clarify a suspected illness.

Note: If you notice any abnormalities during self-observation (e.g. lumps in the breast, visible blood in the stool)contact your family doctor immediately. This also applies to Abnormalitiesthat you between the scheduled examination dates appointments.