Prevention, early detection and immunisation

Prevention and early detection

Some examinations are carried out even if you do not feel ill. These are called preventive or early detection examinations.

These examinations help to recognise certain diseases at an early stage. This is important so that they can be treated quickly. Many illnesses then heal better.

You are entitled to various preventive examinations. And to early detection examinations.

The various examinations depend on your gender and age. Talk to your doctor about which examinations you should have. And which examinations you are entitled to.

Some examinations are paid for by your health insurance company. Ask your health insurance company what these are. Different health insurance companies also pay for different examinations.

One preventive examination, for example, is the ‘general check-up’. Here your overall state of health is assessed. The doctor listens to your breasts, for example. Or he looks at your blood values.

There are even more preventive examinations. For example, you can have your skin examined. This is also called skin cancer screening. You can also have preventive examinations for breast cancer. Or for bowel cancer.

Perhaps someone in your family has these diseases. Then talk to your doctor. He or she will tell you whether you should go for screening more often.