Cancer screening and early detection in Munich

Statutory health insurance (GKV) covers a fixed early detection programme for women. From the age of 20 this includes one gynaecological examination a year. Between 20 and 34, an annual cell smear from the cervix, the so-called Pap test, is added. From 35, the smear is combined every three years with a test for human papillomavirus (HPV). From 30, the breast and the lymph nodes in the armpits are palpated once a year. Women between 50 and 75 can take part in mammography screening every two years. This programme is the basis. What goes beyond it and makes sense for you, we discuss in a consultation.

Extended cancer screening goes beyond the statutory programme. It often includes a vaginal ultrasound. This shows the uterus, the uterine lining and the ovaries. In this way, fibroids, cysts or changes in the lining can be detected, for example. An ultrasound of the breast can complement the manual examination, especially with dense breast tissue. An honest assessment matters: not every additional examination makes sense for every woman. A normal finding does not reliably rule out a disease. Conversely, an incidental finding can lead to further tests that later turn out to be harmless. That is why we discuss benefits and limits with you beforehand.

Besides manual examination, ultrasound and mammography there are complementary methods that do not use X-rays. Mammovision is an infrared examination of the breast: it measures the heat radiated by the skin and displays temperature differences as an image. Ultrasound elastography uses ultrasound to check how firm or elastic tissue is. This helps to place a finding in context. Ultrasound CT uses high-frequency ultrasound and produces cross-sectional images. All three methods complement breast diagnostics. Where a mammogram is recommended, for example in the screening programme or with a suspicious finding, they do not replace it. You can read more on our pages on Mammovision and ultrasound elastography.

Screening is not only about early detection. Lifestyle also influences cancer risk: smoking, alcohol, marked overweight and little exercise are considered risk factors that you can influence yourself. Examine your own breasts regularly; we are happy to show you how. Watch for changes such as lumps, dimpled skin or bleeding outside your period, and raise them with us. Where breast or ovarian cancer runs in the family, genetic counselling may make sense; there are specialist centres for this. Prof. Dr. Schulte-Uebbing also works on hormonally active substances from the environment. We also advise on this if you wish.

Prof. Dr. Schulte-Uebbing has also worked on integrative breast cancer screening scientifically for many years. On radiation-free methods he published, among other things, “Breast elastography and high-frequency ultrasound CT. Two radiation-free complementary methods” (Journal for Physicians of Naturopathy, 2011). Another article is “Infrared radiography in integrative breast cancer prevention” (Die Naturheilkunde, 2015). Together with R. Berz he compared Mammovision with mammography and ultrasound. The article appeared in 2013 in the specialist book “Medical Infrared Imaging” (CRC Press). This work feeds into the consultation: we explain what the individual methods can do and where their limits lie. A selection of his publications can be found on our Publications page.