On the occasion of World Cancer Day (February 4th), Bavarian Health Minister Judith Gerlach (CSU) called for regular screening. “The earlier a cancer is discovered, the greater the chance of curing it,” explained the minister, according to a statement on Friday. This is particularly true for breast cancer. Currently, only around half of the women who are eligible take advantage of the recommended examinations for early detection.
Nevertheless, the Bavarian Cancer Register at the State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL) shows that breast cancer death rates have been declining for years, said Gerlach. With the “digiOnko” project, breast cancer can be prevented even better and treated more specifically in the future with the help of digitalization. The Ministry of Health has been funding the project with 5.8 million euros since 2020.
LGL President Christian Weidner pointed out that more than 10,000 women in the Free State suffer from breast cancer every year. This makes breast cancer the most common cancer among women in Bavaria. If detected early, those affected would have “almost the same chances of survival as the average population,” said Weidner.