German big furrow from cancer and dementia

DAK survey: Cancer and dementia are the most feared diseases of the Germans

11/29/2013

Cancer is the most feared disease of the Germans. This resulted in a Forsa survey on behalf of the health insurance DAK-health. According to the survey, 67 percent of respondents said they were most afraid of cancer. However, not all check-ups are true. Other particularly dreaded illnesses, according to the survey, are Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

Fear of cancer is declining, fear of dementia is increasing
On behalf of DAK-Gesundheit, the Forsa Institute conducted a nationwide and representative survey of 3,086 men and women in the period from October 31 to November 19, 2013 „Fear of illness“ by. Although cancer remains among the most feared diseases among respondents, anxiety is declining compared to previous years. Instead, another disease is catching up. „As the fear of cancer, accident or heart attack decreases, the fear of the incurable brain disease increases, "spokesman Rüdiger Scharf told the news agency „dpa“. Since the topic of dementia, not least because of prominent examples such as Rudi Assauer, is increasingly becoming the focus of public attention, at the same time the fear of pathological oblivion is increasing.

Currently, about 1.3 million people in Germany suffer from dementia. Experts estimate by the year 2050 even with a doubling of the number of those affected. „This development scares many people“, Annett Saal, DAK health expert, is quoted in a statement from the health insurance fund. „It is the great challenge of politics and society to respond and to improve the care conditions for people with dementia and their relatives.“

For seniors, the fear of dementia is greatest
According to the survey, the fear of dementia in the group of 60-year-olds is now greater than that of malignant tumors, strokes or other serious illnesses. „In the case of 30- to 44-year-olds, on the other hand, the fear of cancer is highest with 73 percent. It is followed by the fear of a serious accident or stroke“ the message goes on to say.

The results of the survey summarize the DAK as follows: Among all respondents the fear of cancer is highest (67 percent), followed by Alzheimer's / dementia (48 percent) and stroke (47 percent). Before an accident with injuries 45 per cent fear, before a heart attack 39 per cent, before a hernia 28 per cent, before mental illnesses like depressions 26 per cent and before heavy lung illnesses 21 per cent. The fear of diabetes and venereal disease worries each 16 percent of respondents.

Many are scared, but few take precautionary measures
Despite the widespread fear of cancer, only 54 percent of those aged 30 to 44 reported cancer screening. A health check for the early detection of cardiovascular disease uses in this age group, one in three.

„Overall, 88 percent of Germans rate their current state of health as good or very good“, informs the DAK. The people in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia feel particularly healthy. The Brandenburgers are at the bottom. They judge their state of health the worst. (Ag)