Thuringia is calling on thousands of women over 70 to undergo vital mammography!

Thuringia is calling on thousands of women over 70 to undergo vital mammography!

In the first months of 2023, almost 17,300 women in Thuringia between the ages of 70 and 75 were able to look forward to exciting news in the area of ​​early breast cancer detection. These women received an automated invitation to participate in the mammography screening program, which was expanded to this age group from July 2024. The Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians reported that invitations have been sent to this older generation since the beginning of the year, which previously only applied to women aged 50 to 69. In Thuringia, the breast cancer early detection program is now accessible to around 412,300 women aged 50 to 75 and is covered by statutory health insurance companies. Every year they pay for around 1,800 diagnoses of breast cancer, which is the most common cancer among women, and this mainly affects the 50 to 75 year old age group. For this target group, mammography examinations at X-ray locations close to home are a real advantage.

But what is the reality of participation? We know that 1,400 women in the newly invited age group sought an appointment themselves, but it remains unclear how many ultimately took advantage of the screening. In general, between 56 and 57 percent of eligible women in Thuringia take advantage of the offer, which shows that interest in early breast cancer detection is high, although not consistently.

Expansion of screening

A major innovation is the increase in the age limit for mammography screening, which has been raised from 69 to 75 years. This decision, which has been effective since July 2024, enables an additional 2.5 million women in Germany to actively address their health. However, women aged 70 and over must register themselves to receive an invitation. The information page of the Mammography Cooperation Association offers helpful addresses and information about the participating screening units. This independence is particularly important because a prerequisite for participation is that the last mammogram should be more than 22 months ago.

The mammography screening program is supported by renowned institutions such as the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) and the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), which consider the benefits of mammography to be greater than the potential risks of radiation exposure. The quality of the program is strictly regulated: every mammography image is evaluated independently by at least two specialists and the equipment and the examining doctors are checked regularly.

Statistics and overdiagnosis

The statistics are also interesting, showing that around 6 out of 1,000 participants are diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer during screening. Statistically, two to six women who regularly participate in the program over 20 years can be prevented from dying from breast cancer. However, there are also concerns about overdiagnosis, where tumors are found that may not have been detected without screening. About nine to 12 out of 1,000 women who participate in the program are overdiagnosed, which can lead to unnecessary treatments even though the cancer would not have affected the woman's life.

Given that breast cancer affects around 69,000 women in Germany every year, education and participation in preventative programs like this is essential. The chances of recovery are usually very good, especially if detected and treated in a timely manner. It is a good time to think about your own health and, if necessary, secure an appointment for mammography screening. The regional support, especially from four doctors, ensures that treatment is close to women and that there is close support.

Overall, it shows: early detection can save lives and it is never too late to take care of your health. Mammography is a valuable opportunity to strengthen your heart and soul for your own health and take a step in the right direction.