Screening

Statutory health insurance funds in Germany have offered bowel cancer screening for over 30 years. In 2003 endoscopy of the bowel was added to the tests offered for screening. Recent trials make it possible to better assess what benefits can be expected from the tests and what their disadvantages are. Read about what the different tests can do in our feature on screening.

Cervical cancer is nearly always a rare consequence of an infection with particular sexually transmitted human papillomaviruses (HPV). Infections are probably just as common in men as they are in women. But men are even less likely than women to develop health problems as a result of the infection, such as cancer. Read this feature to find out which risk factors play a role, how cervical cancer develops, and how precancerous conditions are diagnosed and treated.

In Germany there are not very many pregnant women infected with HIV. But it does happen that a woman does not realize that she is a carrier of the virus. If a woman finds out about her infection in time, the child can almost always be protected. Our fact sheet tells you whether you or your child can be infected with HIV during the pregnancy, what you can do for your child if it becomes necessary, and who may find out about HIV test results.

Men’s opinions on prostate cancer screening vary greatly. Some prefer not to think about it at all, while others would like to use every opportunity to screen for prostate cancer. The PSA test is the only screening test for prostate cancer that has been well studied. But does it live up to expectations? Our in-depth information on this topic might be helpful when deciding whether or not to have the test.

You will find interesting facts on the benefits and risks of screening tests in this feature. You can find out, for example, why most screening tests cannot prevent diseases, why false test results can have serious consequences, what questions can help make decisions about screening, and what “IGeL” stands for in the German health care system.