Early detection and prevention: a possible key to better care
For the fourth time, we were commissioned by MSD Switzerland (Merck Sharp & Dohme AG) to conduct a representative survey of the population on the quality of cancer care. The results show that there is a clear gap between the need for preventive measures and their actual implementation. In addition, the population has little to no idea about which preventive examinations are paid for by whom and for which target groups they are recommended. Education, prevention and early detection are possible keys to better care.
One of the key findings of the 4th Cancer Care Monitor 2024 is the significant discrepancy between the importance of preventive measures and their implementation. While all preventive measures are considered ‘important’, only a few have actually been carried out at least once: 79% of women surveyed have had a cervical smear (‘Pap test’) and more than half have had a mammogram at least once. Less than half of all respondents have ever had a skin check for skin cancer (40%) or a bowel screening (39%). 38% of men surveyed have also had a PSA test. Only very few have been vaccinated against HPV (15%) or undergone lung cancer screening (9%).
Use of known early detection measures (Swiss residents aged 18 and over)
First concrete data on early detection measures
As part of a representative survey conducted between 14 and 29 October 2024, the research institute gfs.bern surveyed 1,250 people throughout Switzerland by telephone or online on behalf of MSD Switzerland. When it comes to early detection measures (e.g. cancer screening) and early treatment of cancer, around 90% of respondents rated these as ‘very important’ or ‘somewhat important’.
There is also widespread support for preventive measures specific to women: 93% consider cervical smears (Pap tests for the early detection of possible changes in the cervix) to be ‘very important’ or ‘quite important’, while 89% consider mammograms (X-rays of the breast for the early detection of breast cancer) to be ‘very important’ or ‘quite important’.
The specific preventive measures for men receive slightly less approval: 83% consider self-examination for testicular cancer to be ‘very or somewhat important’, while 70% consider the PSA test (a blood test for prostate-specific antigen) for the early detection of prostate cancer to be ‘very or somewhat important’.
Bowel screening, early detection of lung cancer and vaccination against HPV (human papillomavirus) receive between 68% and 83% approval. In both women and men, infection with HP viruses can cause genital warts and HPV-related precancerous lesions and diseases, particularly cervical cancer, but also vaginal cancer, penile cancer, anal cancer and mouth and throat cancer.
Importance of early detection measures (Swiss residents aged 18 and over)
Insufficient knowledge about cost coverage
For many respondents, it is unclear who covers the costs of cancer screening. The majority (54%) believe that cervical smears are covered by supplementary health insurance, as are mammograms (47%) and bowel cancer screening (39%). 65% of respondents do not know who covers the costs of lung cancer screening, and 56% are unsure about HPV vaccination. Although it is unclear to many who covers the costs, most have a clear opinion on the matter (81%): if cancer screening proves to be useful, the costs should be covered in full by the state as part of compulsory health insurance. There are significant differences in the answers to this question between young and older respondents, between the three language regions and between different political affiliations.
Overwhelming majority wants stronger preventive measures
Opinions on the future of the Swiss healthcare system vary depending on gender, origin, region, education and political views. Nevertheless, there is a clear trend: 92% of respondents are clearly in favour of improving education, 88% are also very clearly in favour of strengthening prevention, and 82% are in favour of strengthening preventive measures. There is also broad support for digitalisation (77%), the introduction of a single public health insurance fund (70%) and the streamlining of the hospital landscape (64%). The introduction of a low-cost health insurance fund is not very popular (45%). The various ideas meet with varying degrees of approval among the respondents, depending on the subgroup. Finally, respondents were asked to indicate which three ideas they generally liked best. The introduction of a single health insurance fund emerged as the top favourite (53%), closely followed by the standardisation of premiums or a reduction in premiums (45%) and the strengthening of prevention (41%).
Good quality of care but deterioration in waiting times
The perceived quality of cancer care in Switzerland remained exceptionally high in this survey year. What is more, it is even better than in previous years (2021–2023). 87% of respondents rated the system as ‘excellent’, ‘very good’ or ‘fairly good’. Only 3% rated the quality as ‘poor’. Around 10% of respondents (n=122) had been diagnosed with cancer less than a year ago. The type of cancer diagnosis was determined for the first time. Breast cancer was the most commonly mentioned type of cancer (40%), followed by skin cancer (28%), prostate cancer (14%), colon cancer (8%) and head and neck cancer (4%). Lung cancer was mentioned by 1% and kidney cancer by 2%. Those personally affected rate the quality of care as even better overall compared to 2023: up 3 percentage points (‘excellent’) and up 2 percentage points (‘very good’). Year-on-year (2022 and 2021), newer forms of therapy continued to be used significantly less often than chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Survey confirms previous years’ data on quality of care
87% of respondents rate the quality of cancer care as ‘excellent’, ‘very good’ or ‘fairly good’. Only 3% express a negative opinion, while 10% are unable to give an assessment. In 2024, hospital care (87%) and the provision of medication and therapy (75%) received high approval ratings from those affected or with a keen interest in health issues. There was a slight improvement in the time taken to start treatment and in cancer prevention and early detection. Over a long period of time, there has been a downward trend in the time it takes for a patient to see a specialist, the general information provided about the disease and coordination between different services. Medication and therapy provision are rated better in German-speaking Switzerland than in French-speaking Switzerland and Ticino.
- Further information, data and graphics (in German): Link to the web cockpit
- The complete final report (in German): Download final report
