Germany has the highest mortality and incidence rates for cervical cancer among other countries in Western Europe. It is important for German women to know risk factor for cervical cancer, so they can prevent from getting this malignancy. Since 1971 all women have been eligible for a yearly gynecological ‘cervical cancer early detection exam’ (KFU) which is covered by statutory health insurance. KFU start at age 20, it includes a pap smear for screening of cervical cancer and a gynecological examination. As over 90% of the Germany women population is covered by statutory health insurance, about 30.5 million women are eligible for an annual KFU for preventing cervical cancer.
Although cervical cancer prevention programs already exist, the success of this program can not be separated from the participation of the population. It turned out that German women’s participation in cervical cancer prevention programs is relatively low. The results of the Germany National Health Interview and Examination Survey indicated a participation rate of 36.5% in 1997. Women in upper social classes participated more frequently than women in lower social classes. Participation rate dropped sharply among women over 55. In a health survey conducted in the State of Northrhine-Westfalia, 56.5% of participating women had a KFU during the year of the survey or in the previous year. Participation is strongly influenced by the knowledge of German women about the risks of cervical cancer.
To determine whether the German women know risk factors of cervical cancer, some researchers from the University of Mainz make a survey of Germany 1500 women age 25 to 75. From the results of these studies, was more than two third of the Germany women realize that they lack information about the risk of cervical cancer. In fact, only 3.2% of them knew that infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is a risk factor for cervical cancer.
For that, a campaign about cervical cancer needs to be improved so that German women can better learn risk of cervical cancer. If they know the risk of this cancer, they will be more attention to prevent cervical cancer. Participation in cervical cancer prevention programs would be increased.