Cancer early detection (screening) targets people who do not show symptoms of a particular disease. The aim is to detect and treat cancer earlier.
The following fact boxes will help you to compare the benefits and harms of:
Breast cancer early detection
Screening for breast cancer with mammography is offered to older women at no cost by health insurance in many countries. Mammography is an x-ray examination of the human breast and aims to increase the chance of recovery by detecting existing tumors as early as possible. But what is the actual benefit of mammography screening and how frequent are potential harms? And would participating in the screening be advisable for you?
This fact box will help you weigh the benefits and harms of breast cancer early detection by mammography.
- Fact box Breast cancer early detection
Ovarian cancer early detection
For the early detection of ovarian cancer, gynaecologists in Germany offer an ultrasound examination of the ovaries. Often, this examination is performed as part of so-called gynaecologic cancer screening. This early detection examination is not covered by most German health insurances unless there is prior suspicion of ovarian cancer. As yet, its benefits have not been scientifically proven.
- Fact box Ovarian cancer early detection
Prostate cancer early detection
We have prepared a fact box with transparent, up-to-date information about the benefits and harms of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, which include the overall and prostate cancer specific mortality rates for groups that participate in PSA screening and those that do not.
- Fact box Prostate cancer early detection
Colon cancer early detection
The following fact boxes will help you to compare the benefits and harms of early detection screening for colon cancer using flexible sigmoidoscopy.
- Fact box Colon cancer early detection