title: Skin cancer screening in Germany - perception by the public.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In 2008, community skin cancer screening (cSCS) was introduced into routine care of the German statutory health insurances (SHI). In the meantime, more than 13 million individuals have been screened. To date, no data are available on the perception of cSCS by the general public.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Evaluation of public perception of cSCS in Germany.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 10 to 17th March 2011, a phone survey on a population-based sample of n = 1 014 German adults with SHI status was conducted by the Forsa Institute, including 12 questions on the use, knowledge and attitude regarding cSCS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the interviewees 48 % were concerned about skin cancer, 29 % of all persons and 31 % of those eligible had already undergone cSCS. Of these, a major proportion (80 %) had been screened by dermatologists. Of the interviewees 75 % would (again) consult a dermatologist for the next cSCS, and less than 10 % would consult the general practitioner. Although about 93 % considered health screenings useful, only 44 % were informed about the legal right to undergo free cSCS after the age of 35.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Germany cSCS is highly accepted in the community. Leading care providers are the dermatologists. Knowledge about the right to free cSCS needs better public propagation.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing, University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Augustin
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stadler
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reusch
authors.forename: Ines
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Schäfer
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kornek
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Luger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011639:Public Opinion; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult