Survey cancer most feared

A malignant tumor remains the biggest fear maker

27/11/2014

Cancer is still the largest for most Germans „bogeyman“ among the diseases. More than two-thirds of Germans are afraid, according to a recent DAK survey, of a tumor disease, particularly high is the fear among the 30- to 44-year-olds. Nevertheless, only 56% of this age group visit regular checkups, especially the men use the free offer far too rarely. This can have fatal consequences, because every fourth German dies of cancer.

Nearly 50 percent are most afraid of Alzheimer's and a serious accident
Cancer is the biggest concern for most Germans. A representative Forsa survey commissioned by DAK-Gesundheit has revealed that 69 percent of people in this country are afraid of a malignant tumor, compared to 30- to 44-year-olds 76%. In addition, Alzheimer's or dementia and serious accidents are very feared and provide in each case 49 percent of respondents for the greatest fear, followed by a stroke (47%), heart attack (40%) and serious virus epidemics such as Ebola with 32 percent.

For the first time also question about the fear of a serious virus epidemic
According to the DAK, the fear of cancer is the most widespread among people in Saarland (79 percent), but also in Saxony-Anhalt (75 percent), Rhineland-Palatinate (73 percent) and Bremen (72 percent). In Hesse, on the other hand, severe accidents with injuries (58) and Alzheimer's (55) are particularly dreaded. As the study further shows, nearly half of the respondents nationwide (47%) are most worried about a stroke and another 40% are worried about a heart attack. On the occasion of the currently rampant Ebola epidemic, the subjects were interviewed for the first time this year after their fear of a serious virus epidemic, according to the DAK. The result: just under a third (32 percent) fear the most before such a disease. On the other hand, the fear of mental illness such as depression or burnout has diminished, with 36% of respondents reporting the highest levels of concern in 2011, up from 28% this year (men: 24%, women 31%) %).

Overall, high satisfaction with your own health
Overall, the Germans are largely satisfied with their health, according to the DAK, 88 percent rate their condition accordingly as good or very good. In comparison to the federal states, the people in Schleswig-Holstein (95%), Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria (each 90%) would have rated their health as particularly good. On the other hand, people in eastern countries are less satisfied, with their own health being rated less well, especially in Saxony-Anhalt (80), Saxony (83) and Thuringia (85). However, health maintenance seems to play a major role for most Germans: to prevent disease, the largest proportion (80%) regularly exercise, drink only a little alcohol (79%) and pay attention to a healthy diet (78%). In addition, 70 percent would not smoke and almost as many regularly read and seek mental challenges.

Participation in cancer screening remains too low
On the other hand, the Germans are less committed to taking precautionary measures because, despite the widespread fear of having a tumor, only 56 percent of the 30 to 44-year-olds go to cancer screening, according to the DAK. While of the women still 69% stated that they use the free offer, the men came here only to 45 percent. A big problem, because „Every fourth German dies of cancer“, explains Dieter Carius from the DAK. „It is and remains a major challenge for all stakeholders in the health care system to increase participation in cancer screening. Especially men care about the condition of their car rather than their own health.“ (No)