Skin cancer screening also for younger people

Some health insurance pay skin cancer screening even in people under the age of 35 years

03/06/2013

From the age of 35 years Germany is entitled to health insurance-funded skin cancer screening every two years, but some statutory health insurance covers the costs of younger people, according to the Association of German Dermatologists (BVDD) on the occasion of the Euromelanoma week started today in Berlin. The focus of this year's event, according to BVDD „the young skin and the underrated subject - bright skin cancer.“

The free skin cancer screening every two years is a way of provision that insureds should use. Because skin cancer is recognized early, the chances of recovery are much higher. Younger people who also want to have a corresponding check-up, advises the BVDD to ask their health insurance company, whether the costs are taken. In general, an occasional self-examination is recommended in which the body is searched for conspicuous birthmarks. „Pigment spots that have noticeably changed or changed, appearing rough and uneven, itching, bleeding or wet, not healing, getting bigger and changing color over time“ or have a non-uniform color, according to BVDD promptly require the examination by a specialist, as it may possibly be skin cancer.

Education crucial for skin cancer prevention
In the BVDD press release at the beginning of the Euromelanoma week, the dermatologist emphasized Matthias Hoffmann, that in the fight against skin cancer the „early education and prevention are the nuts and bolts“ be. As part of the ongoing Euromelanoma campaign in 2013, the physicians also went to kindergartens and kindergartens to inform parents, educators about skin cancer risks. Here's a recent one „published study of Dresden dermatologists on behalf of the Saxon State Ministry of Social Affairs and Consumer Protection“ shown that so far the Enlightenment is not enough, „to protect children in everyday life and holidays from the harmful effects of UV rays.“ According to the BVDD, Saxony's Minister of Health Christine Clauß summed up that not only the parents, but also the educators from kindergartens and kindergartens had to be informed about UV risks and protective measures so that they could make appropriate arrangements and pass on their knowledge to the little ones.

Child skin particularly endangered by UV rays
The prevention of skin cancer by education is one of the core themes of the Euromelanoma campaign, which repeatedly points to the special need for protection of children's skin. This should also be reflected, for example, in the buildings or the design of the nursery and kindergartens. As part of this year's Euromelanoma campaign, the Rhineland-Palatinate Cancer Society, together with the dermatologist Dr. med. Harald Uhlemann from Kaiserslautern visited kindergartens to check their suitability for sun protection, reports the BVDD. „If, after several inspections and training courses, all the stipulations have been fulfilled and implemented, the kindergartens receive the SunPass from the European Skin Cancer Foundation and are thus certified as sun protection kindergartens“, so the press release of the association. (Fp)