Preventive care can save lives. Experts agree on that. Nevertheless, many people do not know which preventive examinations they are legally entitled to and which preventive examinations they have to pay for themselves are recommended. For women in particular, there are a number of preventive examinations from the age of 20 that can be used, for example, to detect some cancers such as colon cancer or skin cancer in good time. But also for pregnant women there are different possibilities in a pregnancy for the purpose of screening to be examined.
Screening from the age of 18
Insured women between the ages of 18 and 35 get a one-time health check-up paid for by their health insurance.
In addition, women 20 to 25 years of age can be examined once a year for a chlamydia infection. Chlamydia infection is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that often has no symptoms but can lead to infertility.
Also from the age of 20, a genital examination can be performed as a preventive examination for the early detection of cervical cancer. In addition to the external examination of the intimate area, the focus of this preventive examination is the diagnosis of the cervix. By palpation of the organs and an annual smear test from the cervix as well as from the cervical canal (“Pap test”), malignant changes are to be detected at a preliminary stage.
With timely therapy, an almost one hundred percent cure rate is achieved. Women between the ages of 20 and 65 receive a written invitation to cervical cancer screening from their health insurance company every five years. From the age of 30, the breast as well as the armpits are also palpated during a preventive examination and a doctor’s instructions are given for self-palping.
Screening examinations from the age of 35.
From the age of 35, a general internal examination for preventive care takes place every three years – the so-called “health check-up”. This includes a complete lipid profile, which includes checking total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Sugar levels and blood pressure are also checked. The heart, lungs and kidneys are also put under the microscope to detect possible cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in good time. In addition, these examinations are also used for the early detection of cancer.
In addition to the thorough physical check, the doctor also inquires about illnesses within the family and clarifies whether the patient smokes and whether he or she gets enough exercise. The vaccination status is also checked.
Also from the age of 35, an annual check-up with the dermatologist should be carried out for the early detection of skin cancer. Moles and birthmarks in particular are thoroughly examined.
From the age of 35, the Pap test for early detection of cervical cancer is only available to women every three years – but is then carried out in combination with an HPV test, i.e. a test for the human papillomavirus, the causative agent of cervical cancer.
Screening from the age of 50.
Women age 50 and older can undergo mammography screening every two years until the end of their 70th year. This screening exam is used for early detection of breast cancer and, in addition to a consultation, includes X-rays of both breasts and subsequent double diagnosis of the X-rays by two independent examiners.
