gms | German Medical Science

27th German Cancer Congress Berlin 2006

German Cancer Society (Frankfurt/M.)

22. - 26.03.2006, Berlin

“Brandenburg against Colon Cancer” – first results of an exemplary, concerted action to improve early detection of colorectal cancer in a federal state in Germany

Meeting Abstract

  • corresponding author presenting/speaker Dieter Nürnberg - Medizinische Klinik B, Ruppiner Kliniken, Neuruppin, Deutschland
  • Wilfried Pommerien - Medizinische Klinik, Städtisches Klinikum, Brandenburg
  • Cornelia Schneider - Nachsorgeleitstelle OSP Neuruppin
  • Michael Peters - Medizinische Klinik B, Ruppiner Kliniken, Neuruppin

27. Deutscher Krebskongress. Berlin, 22.-26.03.2006. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2006. DocPO524

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/dkk2006/06dkk634.shtml

Published: March 20, 2006

© 2006 Nürnberg et al.
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Outline

Text

Background: Colonoscopy as a means to early detection and prevention of colon cancer has been introduced throughout Germany in October 2002. Following a first analysis of the central institute of health insurances in 2003 only 2.2% of insured people over 54 years in Germany had an early detection colonoscopy. Because only a high rate of examination and consistent polypectomy leads to a substantial decrease in morbidity and mortality due to colon cancer, the initiative “Brandenburg against Colon Cancer” coordinates and supports activities to promote early detection colonoscopy throughout the federal state of Brandenburg, Germany.

Methods: On the initiative of the ministry of health a project group “colorectal cancer” was installed, to analyze constantly the situation in the state and to accompany the introduction of early detection colonoscopy. In 2003 a broad alliance of the tumour centre Brandenburg, the federal working committee oncology, health insurances, the regional physicians association, the federal ministry of health and sponsors was formed to realize enough capacities for colonoscopies and to improve publicity. In 2004/2005 a focus was set on “younger” people eligible for colonoscopy, mainly men. A publicity campaign was started in mayor companies throughout the state, in public authorities as well as at the federal employment offices. Additionally a “DarmMobil” (information booth) went on tour through mayor shopping malls in March 2005.

Results: 1. Consensus was reached with the federal physicians association about a maximal waiting time of 3 months, including a central monitoring of actual waiting times.

2. Numbers of physicians certified for early detection colonoscopy increased by 30%, i.e. by licensing hospital doctors.

3. 60% rise in number of early detection colonoscopies was achieved in 2004 compared with 2003, together with a small increase in curative colonoscopies.

4. By the end of 2004 approximately 8% of entitled Brandenburg citizens have had an early detection colonoscopy.

5. Broad awareness of colon cancer in the media.

Conclusion: A broad consensus of all institutions involved in early detection of colon cancer is a prerequisite for a successful realisation of any programme to improve early detection.

Through humorous and explicit marketing we reached an acceptance level in the Brandenburg population far ahead of the average in Germany. This proceeding could therefore have exemplary function for other early detection programmes (such as breast cancer screening).

Figure 1 [Fig. 1]