Mammography screening will also be available for women aged 70 to 75 in the future - G-BA is adapting its early detection program
21.09.2023 17:41
Today, September 21st, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) raised the upper age limit for participation in the breast cancer screening program. In the future, women aged 70 to 75 will also be able to take part in mammography screening every two years. This means that up to three additional X-ray mammograms are possible.
Due to the necessary preparations, the G-BA is providing a transitional solution: The women who are newly eligible will not receive a personal invitation for the time being, but will probably be able to register for an examination appointment themselves from July 1, 2024.
In addition, Dr. Monika Lelgemann, impartial member of the G-BA and chairwoman of the method evaluation subcommittee: “An additional approximately 2.5 million women are expected to be able to take part in mammography screening from July 1, 2024. The expansion of the early detection offer to include breast cancer is based on positive assessments from the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) and the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS). But it is also clear that such an expansion cannot be implemented overnight. It was important to us that interested women were able to take part in the examinations, even if it might be a bit jarring at first. It may not always be possible to arrange an appointment at one of the screening units immediately and close to home - we hope for your understanding.”
How does self-registration work for women aged 70 and over?
It is expected that from July 1, 2024, women aged 70 to 75 will be able to register at the so-called central mammography screening centers for an examination appointment in a screening unit.
In order to make the longer participation option and the self-registration option as widely known as possible, the G-BA is offering one from January 1, 2024 Information brochure(PDF 690.23 kB) - digitally and as a print product for display, for example in doctor's offices and screening units. He also revised the currently applicable so-called Decision support(PDF 1.62 MB) with more information about mammography screening. The G-BA will provide separate information about the ordering options.
Further information can be found on the G-BA website: www.g-ba.de/mammographie-screening-70plus
Why is the start on July 1, 2024 still subject to change?
The decision to expand the screening offer is being legally examined by the legal supervisory authority of the G-BA - the Federal Ministry of Health. If there are no objections to the resolution, it will come into force on July 1, 2024. The period until July 1, 2024 is needed to set up the necessary software-supported processes - important, for example, for documenting the investigations.
A prerequisite for the start on July 1, 2024 is the radiation protection approval of mammography screening for the new age group. This approval from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) is currently pending. A positive assessment from the BfS, the basis for this approval, is available.
Background: Review of age limits for mammography screening
Currently, women aged 50 to 69 are invited for a free X-ray mammogram every two years. The G-BA lays out the content and quality requirements of the program for the early detection of breast cancer in the Early Cancer Detection Guideline (KFE-RL) firmly. In March 2021, the G-BA decided to review the current age limits. The reason for starting discussions was to update the European Breast cancer guidelines the EU Commission. This recommends that women between the ages of 45 and 49 and between 70 and 74 be included in the early detection program. The G-BA commissioned IQWiG to assess the scientific study situation Final report presented in July 2022.