Skin cancer prevention, according to some doctors useless

Every year around eight million people in Germany go for skin cancer screening. However, according to a report of the ARD magazine "Contrasts" this brings little. According to an opinion, the mortality rate for skin cancer should not have changed despite the screenings.

Mortality rate has not changed
As the ARD magazine "contrasts" citing the first reports on skin cancer screening in Germany reports, the screening program of health insurance for the early detection of skin cancer, apparently no effect. According to "tagesschau.de" it said further that the mortality rate has not changed, although since 2008 for every insured of the statutory health insurance every two years a free skin cancer screening is possible. The report was commissioned by the Joint Federal Committee of Physicians and Health Insurance Funds to review the effects of skin cancer screening. "The clear evidence of effectiveness would be the decrease in mortality, ie mortality. So far we have not been able to show that, "explained the renowned dermatologist Prof. Reinhard Dummer from the University Hospital Zurich.

Many people are unnecessarily burdened
Since its introduction, about 25 percent more skin cancer diagnoses have been made, but 50 percent of the tumors detected are so-called precancerous lesions, of which it is unclear whether they have ever affected those affected health. Professor Hans-Werner Hense, head of the Münster Cancer Registry, criticized: "Many people are unnecessarily burdened with a cancer diagnosis." Prof. Dummer cites the constant mortality rate as justification for the fact that the fast-growing and dangerous black melanomas are usually detected by early detection not to be found. "The melanoma that leads to death are usually thick melanomas, and we still miss them despite early detection programs." According to "derwesten.de" he continued: "So it's a sheer coincidence whether you recognize the fast-growing melanoma at an early detection date which takes place every two years. "

Eight million Germans go to the annual skin cancer check
About eight million insureds participate in the program each year. The early detection program was enforced in 2008 according to "tagesschau.de" under pressure from the skin and family doctors. Doctors can charge about 22 euros per patient outside the budget for each screening. The costs of the health insurance companies alone for the check-ups amount to at least 130 million euros per year. Prof. Jürgen Windeler from the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) criticized: "Germany is the only country in the world that has introduced skin cancer screening despite completely unclear evidence."

Many weigh in "false security"
Professor Hense of the Cancer Registry has also pointed to the danger that people will exercise too little care after the investigation. "By screening, many people are in false security. They no longer pay attention to unusual changes in the skin itself. Instead, they rely on the biennial examination by the doctor. "The measure is superfluous for him. "It should therefore be discontinued." Other experts, such as the medical president Frank Ulrich Montgomery have in the past extremely critical of many early detection tests expressed. Among other things, because often only those who care about their bodies are reached.

Protect from strong sunlight
Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in Germany. According to the German Cancer Society, up to 200,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. The German Cancer Aid expects an even higher number of 234,000 new cases. More than 20,000 diagnoses involve dangerous "black" skin cancer. Experts recommend different rules of conduct to reduce the risk of skin cancer. So you should not expose yourself to strong sunlight, such as during lunch time. In addition, you should wear appropriate clothing, headgear and sunglasses and use sunscreen. Particular attention should be paid to the protection of children. Infants should not be exposed directly to the sun. (Ad)