Cervical Cancer Screening: Defining the Need for Research

Abstract

With the development of a National Cancer Plan published in 2012, Germany has followed the recommendations of the WHO and the EU. The first area of action listed in Germany?s National Cancer Plan is improving the early detection of cancer. Both citizens and medical specialists are encouraged to take responsibility themselves and contribute to the efforts being made to meet the challenge of cancer. Screening for cervical cancer has long been an integral part of the German Directive for the Early Detection of Cancer and now ? following the recommendations given in the European Guideline ? an organised screening approach shall be developed to maximise the benefits and minimise the risks through a partial reorganisation of existing structures. Before this can be rolled out nationwide, it will be necessary to check the feasibility and suitability of new contents and organisational structures. The Federal Joint Committee which is largely responsible for the process according to the draft law on the implementation of the National Cancer Plan has emphasised the importance of evidence-based medicine and of collaboration between the autonomous governing bodies within the healthcare system to obtain viable results. For medical specialists, the follow-on question is which areas will need more research in future. New process steps need to be developed and verified to see whether they offer evidence which will support defined approaches or whether such evidence needs to be newly compiled, e.g. by testing invitation procedures for screening in trial schemes. The experience gained during the implementation of the existing directive on early detection of cancer should be integrated into the new process. Research initiated by specialists could encourage the development of a new version of the Directive for the Early Detection of Cancer suitable for the Germany?s healthcare system.

Gender Stereotype Susceptibility

“…Elucidating the specificity of this patient population in coping with disease related negative information would help to work out the strategies of how to inform female oncological patients, and how to support them in health-related decision making. This is of importance as health policy of many countries including Germany underpins the principle of self-determination in matters of health [63] . The present work offers new perspectives for investigation of possible influence of health-related physician-patient communication on recovery potential in oncological diseases in females.…”

Screening for Cervical Cancer - Minimise Risks - Maximise Benefits. Need for Adaptation in Germany in Light of the European Guidelines and Their Objectives

“…Safeguarding the integrity of personal data should also be taken into consideration. Even when the elaboration ultimately lies in the competence of the FJC, the cooperation of selfgoverning bodies and relevant professional societies is assured and appears to allow reasonable considerations in advance [42]. Also the funding programme [43] inhibiting factors for participation in organised screening programmes.…”

Postoperative Health-Related Quality of Life of Cervical Cancer Patients – A Comparison between the Wertheim-Meigs Operation and Total Mesometrial Resection (TMMR)

“…Since March 2007 vaccination against the HPV subtypes 16 and 18 is recommended in Germany for females aged between 12 and 17 years [4]. The early detection of cervical cancer has been a component of guidelines for cancer screening for many years and should now be further developed into an organised screening programme [5]. Depending on the FIGO stage and other factors such as general condition, personal plans for life and a desire to have children, treatment of cervical cancer follows the German S2 guidelines [6].…”