Minister of Health plans expansion of cancer screening

Health Minister Bahr plans to improve cancer screening

07/10/2012

The Federal Minister of Health Daniel Bahr (FDP) plans, according to media reports, a significant expansion of cancer screening. Following the example of breast cancer prevention, screening programs are also to be initiated for colorectal cancer and cervical cancer, in which the health insurance companies regularly invite their members to take examinations.

Significantly more people than before should be carried out according to the plans of the Minister of Health in the future, a cancer screening. For this purpose, for example, it is planned to abolish the previously valid age limits for the precautionary checks. With support from the federal states and the health insurance funds is the first goal of the national cancer plan „Further development of cancer screening“ Be taken into account. Although the project is generally welcomed from all sides, according to industry experts, even more fierce arguments can be expected on the question of financing.

More than 200,000 cancer deaths per year
According to the latest figures from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), almost half a million people a year in Germany suffer from cancer. Around 215,000 people died in 2008 as a result of their cancer. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in Germany after cardiovascular disease. The numbers show that there is a need for action. The Federal Government is also aware of this and is therefore trying to improve cancer screening on the basis of a comprehensive concept. With improved early detection, the prospects of successful treatment are also increasing. Many cancers can still be treated relatively successfully at an early stage. Therefore, it makes sense to implement appropriate screening checks in the area of ​​colon cancer and cervical cancer. The concept designed for this could be implemented from 2015, a spokeswoman for the Federal Minister of Health said on Monday in Berlin, confirming corresponding media reports.

Elimination of age limits in cancer screening
The model of the Federal Minister of Health for the improvement of cancer screening provides for the elimination of the rigid age limits, which determine so far, from which age the health insurance companies take over the costs for the check-up. It is planned that in the future, the Federal Joint Committee, as the highest decision-making body of physicians and health insurers, will determine the age at which the preventive medical examinations are planned, based on the current state of medical knowledge. Since 2009, for example, women between the ages of 50 and 69 have taken over a mammogram from the health insurance companies every two years. The health insurances will offer comparable preventive examinations for colorectal cancer and cervix cancer in the future, although there is still a tough discussion to be expected on the assumption of costs. Although the health insurance funds are also relieved, if cancer can be detected earlier and thus be better treated. But the savings that can be expected here can only be realized in the long term. However, the costs of setting up the pension programs are incurred immediately, so that the funds will presumably insist on a financial contribution from the federal government or the states.

Establishment of clinical cancer registry planned
According to the current draft bill from the Federal Ministry of Health, the federal states are faced with the task of having to set up a clinical cancer registry. According to the health ministry's plan, the registers should collect data on treatment steps and the success of cancer treatment in accordance with nationwide uniform standards in order to improve the long-term quality of treatment. But even here is still in dispute, who will take over the cost of the register. The corresponding bill to improve cancer screening is expected to be introduced in the summer. (Fp)

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Picture: Halina Zaremba