Krebsfrüherkennung

Scientific evidence for the effectiveness of early detection and screening in cancer has been established in randomized clinical trials for three malignancies: cervix, breast, and colon cancer. In cervix cancer incidence and mortality can be reduced. In breast and colon cancer early detection and screening can only reduce mortality. The German guidelines currently in use for cancer screening have adapted these results. Some of the United States guidelines are less restrictive, leading to an increased incidence of some tumor entities such as prostate cancer. The clinical significance still needs to be established. The theoretical potential for reducing cancer mortality by screening measures is estimated to be 3–6%. However, it is to be expected that improvements in detection methods and better organization of screening program structures will increase the proportion of lives saved by screening measures.