New EU recommendation for early cancer detection – G-BA further develops programs
12.12.2022 10:11
The Federal Joint Committee welcomes the European Council's updated recommendation on early cancer detection today. The proposals addressed to Member States provide for a wider range of screening procedures and programming. It is also suggested that existing programs be expanded to include other target groups and other types of cancer.
This is what Dr. Monika Lelgemann, impartial member of the G-BA and responsible, among other things, for early cancer detection examinations: “The EU is an important source of inspiration for the member states when it comes to early cancer detection. The recommendations adopted today show that we in Germany are well positioned when it comes to early cancer detection services provided by statutory health insurance, but that the offerings must continue to be developed further based on new findings. We see our general approach confirmed: the offers are based on a structured assessment of scientific findings. They are of course voluntary and are accompanied by information for the insured, which provides neutral information about the benefits and damages. Scientifically sound and equally easy-to-understand information for the insured is particularly important when it comes to early cancer detection. The frequently expressed view that 'a lot helps a lot' is not helpful here.
In Germany, we are gradually modifying our examination programs in order to define the right offers for specific target groups and certain types of cancer. On this point too, we see ourselves as confirmed by the EU recommendations. Specifically, the G-BA is currently advising on new age limits for breast cancer screening and updated information for insured persons in colon cancer screening, which should help to achieve a higher participation rate. In addition, consultations on the introduction of services for early lung cancer detection have already been prepared; a corresponding benefit report from the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care is available. However, the prerequisite for the G-BA's work is a legal ordinance from the Federal Environment Ministry, which regulates the radiation protection framework for the possible use of computer tomography. In addition, it should be clarified in the future to what extent it is possible to expand the early detection of prostate cancer.
The G-BA shares the goal set by the European Council of offering such an offer to 90 percent of insured people who are eligible for an early detection examination for breast, cervical and colon cancer by 2025. The aim of the organized early detection programs in Germany is to inform everyone who is entitled to benefits about the services on offer.”
How intensively Europe and nation states such as Germany are working together on the topic of early cancer detection can already be seen in the organized breast cancer screening: Yesterday, the G-BA substantiated the order it had previously given to the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care to provide insured information on breast cancer for extended periods to adapt to age groups. The first step will be to raise the upper age limit from the current 69 to 74 years. In a second step, the G-BA will examine adjusting the lower age limit from the current 50 to 45 years. The trigger for the start of consultations in the G-BA was an update of the European breast cancer guidelines in 2021.