[Cancer prevention and screening]

Prevention plays a key role in reducing the development and burden of disease and mortality in oncology. Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention should be understood as complementary levels where the preventive potential has not yet been sufficiently exploited. Primary prevention addresses modifiable risk factors, such as tobacco and alcohol consumption, obesity, lack of exercise, UV exposure and oncogenic infections. According to estimates, around 40% of new cancer cases in Europe could be prevented through consistent primary prevention measures. Secondary prevention comprises quality-assured, established cancer screening programs where the effectiveness has been proven but the utilization remains limited. Current developments include the introduction of organized lung cancer screening for defined high-risk populations. With the increasing number of cancer survivors, tertiary prevention is becoming increasingly more relevant; structured, multimodal and multiprofessional aftercare, rehabilitation and survivorship programs are essential for reducing recurrences and long-term somatic and psychosocial consequences. An effective cancer prevention requires the systematic integration of evidence-based measures into care, research and health policy. Medical and scientific societies actively contribute to strategic development in this area.