In 2008, a nationwide population-based skin cancer screening program was introduced in Germany. Its potential to reduce the skin cancer-related burden of disease is the subject of a controversial debate. This article gives an overview on the epidemiology of cutaneous melanoma of the skin and nonmelanoma skin cancer, on the history and practice of the current program, and appraises the evidence of screening for skin cancer based on a selective search for literature and data.The incidence of skin cancer has increased markedly throughout the last decades. The available evidence indicates efficacy of screening for skin cancer, but on a low level. Randomized controlled trials are lacking and the available evidence is based largely on the pilot study SCREEN which was conducted in 2003/2004 in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Following this pilot study, a marked decline of melanoma mortality was observed. After implementation of nationwide skin cancer screening, a mortality reduction has not appeared so far.A comparison of nationwide skin cancer screening and the SCREEN project suggests a lower intensity of the current screening program. Its process and outcome quality requires further investigations. Improved documentation allowing for a linkage between screening procedures conducted by nondermatologists and dermatologists is desirable. Personal invitations could help to reach individuals who currently make little or no use of skin cancer screening but might benefit from it.
Keywords: Early detection; Epidemiology; Melanoma; Screening; Skin cancer.