[Screening and risk group concepts in oncology (author's transl)]

Risk groups for cancer are characterized by (1) higher risk due to causal exposition or (2) risk indicators not causally related to cancer. Selective screening of high risk groups has to take into consideration the general preconditions of screening and additionally the special aspects of how to identify and how to reach the high risk group. Selective screening of risk groups may help to improve medical care of individuals at risk but obviously cannot reduce the cancer burden measurably. Selective screening should be integrated into basic medical care.