Invitation programme for colon cancer screening

Although early detection of colon cancer is so important from the age of 50, only around 20% of those eligible in Germany currently take advantage of colon cancer screening. The invitation procedure is intended to remind all eligible insurants to undergo regular future colon cancer screening. The aim is to increase the participation rate and thus protect more people. After all, the earlier colon cancer is detected, the better the chances of recovery. Colon cancer screening (stool test and colonoscopy) can detect benign or malignant changes at a very early stage. This can prevent colon cancer and even deaths from colon cancer.

All insurants aged 50, 55, 60 and 65 receive regular written invitations from SBK to participate in colon cancer screening.

The invitation will provide you with information about the colon cancer screening services you are eligible for based on your age. In addition, you will receive a brochure with information about the stool test and colonoscopy procedures as well as the benefits and risks of colon cancer preventative check-ups.

You can view the brochures here (in German only):

Information for insured individuals on colorectal cancer screening for men aged 50 and older

Information for insured individuals on colorectal cancer screening for women aged 50 and older

Information for insured individuals on colorectal cancer screening for men aged 50 and older (in simple language)

Information for insured individuals on colorectal cancer screening for women aged 50 and older (in simple language)

Yes, you will still receive an invitation. This is because the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) has decided that all insurants aged 50, 55, 60 and 65 will receive an invitation, regardless of whether they have already participated in colon cancer screening or not. We must also write to you if you have already participated in colon cancer screening and therefore do not have the opportunity to participate again at the time of the invitation. Even if you have an underlying condition that may prevent you from participating in colon cancer screening, you will still receive an invitation.

Yes, you can participate in colon cancer screening even without an invitation. This is because the only decisive factor for colon cancer screening via the stool test and colonoscopy is the age of the insurant. The invitation to participate in colon cancer screening is merely a service to remind you of this screening option and is also intended to inform you about the benefits of early detection of colon cancer. However, the invitation itself does not entitle you to colon cancer screening.

If you have been invited to participate in colon cancer screening and do not wish to be invited again after five years, you have the option of objecting to receiving another invitation. To declare your objection, please use the following PDF form:

Form for objecting to colon cancer screening invitations

Please send the completed form by email to widerruf@sbk.org or print it out and send it by post. You can find our address and a prepaid envelope here. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your personal SBK Consultant. You can find the contact details here.

To object to the processing of data collected during participating in colon cancer screening, simply send an email without a qualified electronic signature to the objection office.

Zentrale Widerspruchsstelle: Dittrichring 4, 04109 Leipzig, email: g-ba@widerspruchsstelle.de

Yes, you must object again. This is because information about your objection is not passed on from one health insurance to another.

Yes, you still have the right to take advantage of the statutory preventative check-ups free of charge.