Beiträge der epidemiologie zur krebsfrüherkennung

Germany was one of the first countries to offer statutory annual screening examinations to its population as a measure for the secondary prevention of cancer. However, screening is not only beneficial, it may also involve undesired side effects. Thus, for ethical reasons, adequate evidence for the efficacy of screening modalities before their introduction into a regular program, and continuous quality assurance of service screening are required. In scientific research on cancer screening and in the development of appropriate structures for quality assurance of routine screening, Germany lagged behind international developments for decades. The research activities presented in this article indicate, however, that the epidemiological research on cancer screening has now reached internationally competitive levels in this country. An analogous development is desirable for the timely and rigorous translation of scientific evidence, with due consideration to international experience, into the practice of cancer screening in Germany.