Friday, November 13, 2026

German Cancer Aid, the German Cancer Research Center and the German Cancer Society are putting workplaces at the centre of National Cancer Prevention Week 2026. From 21 to 27 September, the organisations are running the “Lass mal checken” campaign to explain statutory cancer screening options and provide companies with free information materials and activity modules for employees.

For healthcare communications, the campaign is notable because it treats the workplace as a channel for reach and access. According to the organisations, more than 500,000 people in Germany are diagnosed with cancer each year, about one third of them of working age. The employer role is not medical counselling, but low-threshold communication about existing screening options and information on benefits and risks.

Workplaces as prevention channels

People covered by statutory health insurance in Germany are entitled to screening examinations for breast, colorectal, cervical, skin and prostate cancer. Since 2026, people with a heavy smoking history can also be examined for lung cancer. The campaign comes as the health system is discussing spending cuts. The participating organisations argue that early detection should not be restricted and that outreach should become more targeted.

They identify limited participation as a central problem for current programmes. Mammography screening is used by about half of eligible women, while the two colorectal cancer screening options together reach fewer than 50 percent of those eligible. Barriers cited include hard-to-understand information, concerns about possible findings and long waiting times for specialist appointments. The organisations also say current offers mainly reach people with higher levels of education.

Ready-to-use modules for companies

The campaign provides companies with materials and activity elements that can be used in workplace health management. Supporting associations and participating companies include Amgen, Bayer, Audi, Beiersdorf, the BKK umbrella association, the German Federal Association for Workplace Health Management, Hornbach, Viessmann and occupational medicine groups.

For pharma and healthcare companies, the initiative touches two communication fields: internal health communication for employees and prevention communication with a social responsibility focus, without product-related messaging. The materials are available via the National Cancer Prevention Week website.

The three organisers also call for further development of screening programmes. In their view, future strategies should be more risk-adapted and regularly evaluated. They point to approaches in other EU countries, including tests sent by post, as possible ways to lower access barriers.