Germany is moving to reduce the minimum age for free mammogram screenings to detect breast cancer for those with public health insurance by five years.
Currently women in Germany can get regular mammogram screenings covered by statutory health insurance from the age of 50.
However, following a decision by Germany’s Federal Joint Committee (GBA) in October, women aged 45-49 who are publicly insured will soon be able to access the service at no extra cost.
The change, which is expected to come into force from August 2027, would make around 2.5 million additional women eligible for the screening programme.
The GBA is responsible for determining which medical services are covered by statutory health insurers and implementing rules around them.
The decision follows a change to Germany’s breast cancer early detection regulations in March 2026, paving the way for screening to be offered to more women.
How will the expanded programme be rolled out?
Women aged 45 to 49 are expected to be able to register for a screening appointment themselves from August 1st, 2027.
Letters inviting eligible women for a screening are expected to begin arriving from January 2028.
This transition period is intended to give screening centres and related organisations time to adapt their system and procedures.
The decision still needs to be rubber stamped by the Ministry of Health. If it is given the green light, the new rules will come into force from August as planned.
READ ALSO: How healthy are people in Germany?
Why is Germany expanding breast cancer screening?
In Germany, around 75,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, making it the most common type of cancer among women.
Germany’s mammography screening programme currently applies to women between the ages of 50 and 75. Those in this age group can get a screening every 24 months.
Eligible women between the ages of 50 and 69 receive regular invitations, while appointments can be made by women aged between 70 and 75. Centres have been rolling out invitations to the older age group as well.
The decision to expand the ages for screening follows a review of the programme initiated by the GBA in March 2021, prompted by an update to European breast cancer screening guidelines.
The updated European recommendations called for screening to be extended to women aged 45 to 49, as well as those aged 70 to 74.
In Germany, women are also entitled to an annual physical breast exam performed by a gynaecologist, from the age of 30.
READ ALSO: The check-ups you can get in Germany with statutory health insurance
Speaking after the decision, Dr Bernhard van Treeck, an independent member of the GBA and chair of its subcommittee on the methodology of assessments, said the expansion would allow more women to benefit from the “quality-assured programme”.
“Currently, all women aged between 50 and 75 can take part in the mammography screening programme; that is approximately 14.5 million women.
“Today, we have opened up the programme to younger women aged 45 and over. This means a further 2.5 million women can benefit from this quality-assured programme as a service covered by statutory health insurance.”
He also stressed the importance of recognising the limitations of early detection.
“Although it was not planned, I am pleased that our decision was taken in October – and thus during International Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This raises awareness of the issue, including its possibilities and limitations.
“Early detection only works effectively if signs of the disease are reliably identified and ‘false alarms’ are kept to a minimum. With this in mind, we hope we have reached a sound decision.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: thelocal.de
