Undergo a cancer screening examination

From a certain age, people with statutory health insurance are entitled to an annual examination for the early detection of cancer.

Statutory early detection examinations for women

• between the ages of 20 and 34: annual genital examination
  • targeted questioning (e.g. questions about bleeding disorders, discharge)
  • Inspection of the cervix
  • Cancer smear and cytological examination
  • gynaecological palpation, examination of the genital skin region
  • abnormal findings are further clarified as part of early detection
  • Counselling
• between the ages of 35 and 65: genital examination and gynaecological examination every three years
  
  • Combination examination consisting of a cytological smear from the cervix and an HPV test (test for genital infections with human papillomaviruses); a smear taken from the cervix is examined for both HPV and cell changes
  • abnormal findings are further clarified as part of early detection
  • clinical examination with medical history, gynaecological palpation, examination of the genital skin region (as with the annual physical examination for 20 to 34-year-old women; this annual examination for women aged 35 and over takes place every third year in conjunction with the combination examination of cytological smear and HPV test)
  • Counselling about the result
• from the age of 30: annual breast examination
  • specific questioning (e.g. questions about changes/discomfort of the skin and breast)
  • Palpation of the breasts and the associated lymph nodes
  • Instructions for breast self-examination
  • Counselling on the results
• from the age of 35, additional skin examination every two years
  • targeted questioning (e.g. questions about changes to the skin and complaints)
  • standardised full-body examination of the entire skin including the hairy head and all body skin folds
  • Report of findings with subsequent counselling (in the event of conspicuous findings, clarification by a dermatology specialist)
• supplementary colon and rectum examination:
  • from the age of 50:
    • From the age of 50, the insured person has a one-off entitlement to information on the overall programme for the early detection of colorectal cancer by the panel doctor
    • Insured persons aged 50 and over can choose between a test for occult blood in the faeces, which is carried out every two years, and a colonoscopy. If a colonoscopy is carried out, no early detection method must be used in the nine calendar years following the year of the examination. After that, you can choose between a second colonoscopy or a faecal occult blood test every two years. A maximum of two colonoscopies can be carried out as a screening method; a colonoscopy from the age of 65 is considered a second screening colonoscopy.
• between the ages of 50 and 75: mammography screening for the early detection of breast cancer every two years at the written invitation of the Centre for Mammography Screening Baden-Württemberg in a certified screening unit
  • X-ray of both breasts
  • Double diagnosis of the X-ray images by two independent examiners
  • Notification of findings within seven working days (In the event of suspicious findings, an invitation is issued for further diagnostic clarification. This will be arranged by the respective screening unit)
• Lung cancer screening (expected from April 2026) annually for active and former heavy smokers who have reached the age of 50 but not yet the age of 76, who have smoked for at least 25 years without a long break and have a cigarette consumption of at least 15 so-called "pack years" (number of cigarette packs smoked per day multiplied by the number of years of smoking)
  • Collection of the relevant anamnestic data, information, examination of the admissibility requirements and justification of the indication
  • Computed tomography scan using low-dose computed tomography and diagnosis of the computed tomography scan by radiology specialists who fulfil special requirements.

Statutory screening examinations for men

• from the age of 35: skin examination every two years
  • targeted questioning (e.g. about changes to the skin and complaints)
  • standardised full-body examination of the entire skin, including the hairy head and all body skin folds
  • Report of findings with subsequent counselling (in the event of conspicuous findings, clarification by a dermatology specialist)
• from the age of 45, additional annual prostate and genital examination
  • targeted questioning
  • Palpation of the prostate from the rectum, palpation of the testicles, penis and inguinal lymph nodes
  • Notification of findings with subsequent counselling
• supplementary colon and rectal examination:
  • from the age of 50:
    • From the age of 50, the insured person has a one-off entitlement to information on the overall programme for the early detection of colorectal cancer by the panel doctor
    • Insured persons aged 50 and over can choose between a test for occult blood in the faeces, which is carried out every two years, and a colonoscopy. If a colonoscopy is carried out, no early detection method must be used in the nine calendar years following the year of the examination. After that, you can choose between a second colonoscopy or a faecal occult blood test every two years. A maximum of two colonoscopies can be carried out as a screening method; a colonoscopy from the age of 65 is regarded as a second screening colonoscopy.
  • Lung cancer screening (expected from April 2026) annually for active and former heavy smokers who have reached the age of 50 but not yet the age of 76, who have smoked for at least 25 years without a long break and have a cigarette consumption of at least 15 so-called "pack years" (number of cigarette packs smoked per day multiplied by the number of years of smoking)
  • Collection of the relevant anamnestic data, information, examination of the admissibility requirements and justification of the indication
  • Computed tomography imaging using low-dose computed tomography and diagnosis of the computed tomography image by radiology specialists who fulfil special requirements.

You must pay for other cancer screening examinations yourself (e.g. targeted skin inspection by a dermatologist, mammography before 50, measurement of intraocular pressure),

• if they are purely early detection measures and
• You do not have them carried out to clarify a suspected illness.

Note: If you notice any abnormalities during self-observation (e.g. lumps in the breast, visible blood in the stool)contact your family doctor immediately. This also applies to Abnormalitiesthat you between the scheduled examination appointments appointments.