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Prevention & Screening
Cancer prevention and early detection help to prevent or delay the development of cancer. Avoiding risk factors such as cigarette smoke and sun exposure are important goals in this regard. We also focus on promoting a healthy lifestyle. The University Cancer Center Hamburg is involved in a wide range of programs and topics related to cancer prevention.
Preventing cancer – improving health: Cancer prevention means actively doing something for your own health. The aim is to reduce the risk of developing cancer or prevent a relapse. Lifestyle factors that can make a difference include a balanced and healthy diet, sufficient exercise, avoiding alcohol and smoking, and proper protection from sun exposure. In addition, we recommend getting the vaccinations recommended by STIKO (e.g., against HPV) and attending preventive medical checkups.
If you have already had cancer, it is important to protect yourself against its recurrence. In addition to the above lifestyle recommendations, this includes attending regular follow-up appointments and consistently adhering to follow-up plans.
It can also be helpful to pay special attention to your mental health. Fear of recurrence can trigger stress reactions. Social support through psycho-oncological counseling, sharing experiences in self-help groups, or adequate relaxation techniques can help here.
Clinical cancer prevention
Clinical cancer prevention encompasses measures for early detection and reduction of cancer risk through targeted interventions. These include regular screening examinations, vaccinations, and examination of family cancer history.
If cancer occurs particularly early, there is a family history of cancer, a patient has had to deal with various types of cancer over time, or the cancer is rare, a genetic cause of the disease should also be considered. Identifying such a genetic cause can have significant benefits for both the patient and their relatives.
In the Hereditary Tumor Consultation, patients are supported by a team of highly experienced and empathetic oncologists and human geneticists. We are supported by pathologists, gastroenterologists, radiologists, and colleagues from other disciplines to provide rapid answers regarding a possible genetic cause and to enable guideline-compliant surveillance.
Tertiary prevention is aimed at patients who have already survived cancer. As part of our “Life after Cancer” program, we offer them personal counseling to help them take advantage of all the options available to reduce the risk of recurrence or new disease.
Cancer prevention programs
Together with cooperation partners, the UCC Hamburg has launched prevention programs. In addition to providing access to information, exercise plays an important role in cancer prevention. Schoolchildren and young people in particular can do a lot to prevent cancer.
The National Cancer Prevention Center of the German Cancer Research Center and German Cancer Aid have jointly published a position paper on cancer prevention:
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“ Non-smoking is cool” is run by the II. Medical Clinic and Polyclinic and the German Center for Addiction Issues in Childhood and Adolescence (DZSKJ) at the UKE and is part of the UCC Hamburg prevention program.
Since its inception in 2005, more than 80,000 students in grades 5 to 7 from Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Bremen, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have participated in over 360 “ Non-smoking is cool” tobacco prevention events.
During the two-hour event, students learn about the medical effects of smoking tobacco. Among other things, a bronchoscopy is shown on a patient with lung cancer, and a patient with lung cancer talks about his medical history and tobacco use.
He also answers questions from children and young people. An evaluation of the school event by the DZSKJ shows that “‘Non-smoking is cool’ is particularly effective among high school students. Among children who participated in “ Non-smoking is cool,” the proportion of “new smokers” rose by 6.4 percent, only half as much as in a control group. This fulfills the primary goal of tobacco prevention, which is to prevent or at least delay the onset of tobacco use as much as possible.
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The study also shows that “ Non-smoking is cool” also reaches particularly vulnerable children whose parents smoke at home or whose friends of the same age already smoke. Sponsors of the interdisciplinary project include the Hamburg Cancer Society, the North German Bronchial Carcinoma Working Group, Budnianer Hilfe, and Deutsche Kinderhilfe.
Hamburg celebrities such as Alexandra von Rehlingen, Monica Lierhaus, and Thorsten Schaubrenner are involved in the support association “Prevention of Nicotine Addiction in Children and Adolescents in Hamburg and the Surrounding Area.” The project is also supported by the band Revolverheld, comedian Ralf Schmitz, actors Svenja Beneke and Sky du Mont, presenters Judith Rakers, Barbara Schöneberger, Markus Lanz, and Johannes B. Kerner, and the Hamburg Sports Club, among others. Schools that would like to participate in the project can find more information online:
Skin Protection as an Essential Part of Early Childhood Education. The Hamburg Cancer Society (Hamburger Krebsgesellschaft e.V.) has launched the SunPass campaign in cooperation with UCC Hamburg. The goal of the project is to improve sun protection measures in kindergartens, in order to:
- Reduce the UV exposure of young children in kindergarten.
- Raise awareness among educators and parents about this issue.
- Ultimately reduce the incidence of skin cancer in the long term.
The dermatologists at UKE actively participate in the training sessions. For more information, please contact the Hamburg Cancer Society (Hamburger Krebsgesellschaft e.V.).
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a widespread virus that can infect the skin and mucous membranes of various parts of the body. Affected areas include the mouth, throat, anus, cervix, penis, vagina, and vulva. There are many different types of HPV, some of which are cancer-causing.
In particular, the incidence of HPV-related head and neck cancers is increasing worldwide, with an estimated 45,000 new cases of head and neck cancer caused by HPV infections each year. HPV vaccines provide nearly 100% protection against infection with the types of HPV included in the vaccines.
On March 4th each year, global attention is drawn to the importance of vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV). In 2025, various national and Hamburg-based partners will join forces for HPV Awareness Day to highlight the importance of the HPV vaccination.
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Through a joint initiative by the Social Welfare Authority of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, the State Institute for Teacher Education and School Development, the Medical Society for Health Promotion (ÄGGF e.V.), the Hamburg Cancer Society (Hamburger Krebsgesellschaft e.V.), the Dysplasia Center at Jerusalem Hospital, the Leibniz Institute for Virology, the Self-Help Network for Head and Neck Cancer, as well as other patient advocacy groups from the UCC Hamburg network, awareness was raised about vaccination gaps and specific vaccination offers were made available.
Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of numerous types of cancer. Studies show that physical activity can reduce the risk of these types of cancer by 20 to 30 percent. A positive effect has also been proven for cancers of the stomach, bladder, and kidney. Exercise has an anti-inflammatory effect, regulates hormone balance, and strengthens the immune system. Exercise is also good for the body and mind.
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At UCC Hamburg, we also offer various exercise programs that can support patients during therapy or in aftercare. This program is coordinated by our team of sports scientists and ranges from sports therapy in small groups to collaboration with sports clubs to various sports programs for children and adolescents as part of our cooperation with the ActiveOncoKids Center North.
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Rowing Against Cancer is a charity regatta initiative launched by the
The charity regatta takes place annually at numerous locations throughout Germany and is organized in cooperation with local rowing clubs and oncology therapy facilities. Year after year, it demonstrates that although the focus is on the good cause through teamwork and athleticism, all participants also share an enthusiasm for exercise and commitment to the good cause.
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The UCC Hamburg rowing program for patients is being expanded: On the initiative of the
You can find current events related to our prevention programs in our event calendar.
Further Information
Do you have any questions or would you like to make an appointment? Here you will find our contact details for UCC Hamburg.
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