People covered by statutory health insurance are entitled to an annual screening test for the early detection of cancer once they reach a certain age.

Statutory screening for women

• aged 20 to 34: annual gynaecological examination
  • targeted questioning (for example, questions about abnormal bleeding or discharge)
  • Inspection of the cervix
  • Pap smear and cytological examination
  • gynaecological palpation, examination of the genital skin area
  • Any abnormal findings are investigated further as part of early detection
  • Counselling
• For women aged between 35 and 65: a genital examination and gynaecological examination every three years
  
  • Combined screening comprising a cytological smear from the cervix and an HPV test (test for genital infections with human papillomavirus); a smear taken from the cervix is examined for both HPV and cellular changes
  • Any abnormal findings are investigated further as part of early detection
  • Clinical examination including medical history, gynaecological palpation and examination of the genital skin area (as in the annual physical examination for women aged 20 to 34; for women aged 35 and over, this annual examination takes place every three years in conjunction with the combined test comprising a cytological smear and an HPV test)
  • Counselling on the results
• From the age of 30, in addition: annual breast examination
  • Targeted questioning (for example, questions about changes or symptoms affecting the skin and breasts)
  • Palpation of the breasts and associated lymph nodes
  • Instructions on how to carry out a breast self-examination
  • Discussion of the results
• From the age of 35, in addition: a skin examination every two years
  • Targeted questioning (for example, questions about changes to the skin and any symptoms)
  • Standardised full-body examination of the entire skin, including the scalp and all skin folds
  • Communication of findings followed by a consultation (in the event of abnormal findings, further investigation by a specialist in dermatology)
• In addition, a colon and rectal examination:
  • from the age of 50:
    • From the age of 50, the insured person is entitled to a one-off briefing on the comprehensive programme for the early detection of bowel cancer by their contracted GP
    • Insured persons aged 50 and over may choose between a faecal occult blood test, carried out every two years, and a colonoscopy. If a colonoscopy is performed, no other early detection method is to be used in the nine calendar years following the year of the examination. Thereafter, theymay againchoosebetween a second colonoscopy or a faecal occult blood test every two years. A maximum of two colonoscopies may be carried out as an early detection method; a colonoscopy carried out from the age of 65 counts as the second early detection colonoscopy.
• Aged 50 to 75: mammography screening every two years for the early detection of breast cancer, following a written invitation from the Central Office for Mammography Screening in Baden-Württemberg to attend a certified screening centre
  • X-rays of both breasts
  • Double reading of the X-ray images by two independent examiners
  • Results communicated within seven working days (In the event of a suspicious finding, an invitation will be issued for further diagnostic investigation. This will be arranged by the relevant screening centre.)
• Lung cancer screening (expected to start in April 2026) annually for active and former heavy smokers who are aged 50 or over, but have not yet reached 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’ (the number of cigarette packets smoked per day multiplied by the number of years smoked)
  • Collection of relevant medical history data, provision of information, assessment of eligibility criteria and justification of the indication
  • Production of a CT scan using low-dose computed tomography and interpretation of the CT scan by radiologists who meet specific criteria.

Statutory early detection screening for men

• From the age of 35: a skin examination every two years
  • Targeted questioning (for example, regarding changes to the skin and symptoms)
  • Standardised full-body examination of the entire skin, including the scalp and all skin folds
  • Communication of findings followed by a consultation (in the event of abnormal findings, further investigation by a specialist in dermatology)
• From the age of 45, additionally: annual prostate and genital examination
  • Targeted questioning
  • Digital rectal examination of the prostate, palpation of the testicles, penis and inguinal lymph nodes
  • Discussion of findings followed by consultation
• Additional colon and rectal examination:
  • from the age of 50:
    • From the age of 50, the insured person is entitled to a one-off briefing on the comprehensive programme for the early detection of bowel cancer by the contracted doctor
    • Insured persons aged 50 and over may choose between a faecal occult blood test, carried out every two years, and a colonoscopy. If a colonoscopy is carried out, no other early detection method is to be used in the nine calendar years following the year of the examination. Thereafter , they may again choose between a second colonoscopy or a faecal occult blood test every two years. A maximum of two colonoscopies may be carried out as a screening method; a colonoscopy carried out from the age of 65 counts as the second screening colonoscopy.
  • Lung cancer screening annually for current and former heavy smokers who are aged 50 or over, but have not yet reached 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’ (the number of packets of cigarettes smoked per day multiplied by the number of years smoked)
  • Collection of relevant medical history data, provision of information, verification of eligibility criteria and establishment of a justified indication
  • Production of a CT scan using low-dose computed tomography and interpretation of the CT scan by radiologists who meet specific requirements.

You must pay for other cancer screening tests yourself (for example, targeted skin examination by a dermatologist, mammography before the age of 50, measurement of intraocular pressure),

• if they are purely screening measures and
• you are not having them carried out to investigate a suspected condition.

Note: If you notice any abnormalities whilst monitoring yourself (for example, a lump in the breast or visible blood in the stools), contact your GP immediately. This also applies to abnormalitiesthat you notice .