Oncologists review the cancer screening

DGHO is in favor of a critical review of cancer screening so far

03/14/2014

The German Society for Hematology and Medical Oncology (DGHO) is in favor of a critical examination of the existing cancer screening offers in Germany. This was stated by the DGHO board at its meeting yesterday. Thus, while certain procedures may provide security to the patient, they may also result in high stress.

In addition, some areas lacked findings on the assessment of early detection measures that apply specifically to Germany, according to the DGHO. Existing studies, for example in breast cancer screening, would refer to other countries like the US. The experts call for early detection of cancer based on the current state of medical knowledge.

Cancer prevention should be based on the current state of medical knowledge
„Certain methods of early cancer detection can help reduce cancer mortality rates“, emphasized Professor Mathias friend. „Although the necessary examinations provide the participants with certainty, they can certainly be a burden and possibly lead to overdiagnosis or even overtreatment. Dealing with cancer must also be based on the current state of medical knowledge, even in the case of early detection.“ The rapid expansion of expertise required a regular review of the currently implemented cancer screening measures.

Professor Ulrich Bick, Deputy Director at the Institute of Radiology of the Charité Berlin, pointed out the advantages and disadvantages of early detection of breast cancer. „Regular mammography screening every two years for women between the ages of 50 and 69 can reduce breast cancer mortality by about 20 to 30 percent.“ However, the benefit of the study is not the same for all women. Thus, there are women with a very dense gland parenchyma, in which, in addition to mammography examinations such as sonography or magnetic resonance tomography of the breast are useful. In addition, risk groups would have to be considered more. „In women with severe familial stress or genetic predisposition to breast cancer, early breast cancer screening should be started much earlier and at shorter intervals. Also, in these women of the magnetic resonance imaging of the breast in early detection has a much greater importance“, explained Bick. The radiologist also criticized that the development of cancer registries in Germany was inadequate, so that insights into the development of mortality were missing. Studies on the evaluation of early detection measures therefore hardly exist in this country. The findings relate to studies in other countries such as the USA or Scandinavia. „We therefore do not know what effect screening has in Germany“, so Bick.

Better early detection of lung cancer necessary
The DGHO also calls for improved early detection of lung cancer. Dr. Wilfried Eberhardt, Managing Director at the West German Lung Cancer Center in Essen, reported a gratifying trend. „After decades of stagnation in early detection, a significant reduction in lung cancer mortality by about 20 percent and total mortality by 6 percent in 2011 and in the advanced analyzes at the major National Lung Screening Trial in the US was achieved by the mere introduction of three Screenings can be detected with low-dose computed tomography.“ Still, lung cancer is the leading cause of death among cancers. Therefore, Eberhardt advocates a clearly structured and forward-looking early detection program for risk groups with long-term nicotine consumption in Germany.

A current volume of the DGHO health policy series titled „Cancer screening in Germany 2014“ It provides information on methods and procedures for early cancer detection and their risks, therapeutic options, risk factors and prevention for the cancer types listed. „Cancer research provides ongoing new insights“, explained Professor Bernhard Wörmann, Medical Director of DGHO. „For this reason, measures for the early detection of cancer must be regularly checked for their effectiveness: omit the superfluous and harmful, integrate new and useful, ensure quality in existing programs.“

The DGHO also calls for a communication „transparent benefit assessment of now funded by the health insurance programs in terms of lowering mortality, avoiding the burden of advanced cancer and the costs“. (Ag)