98 percent of women between the ages of 49 and 75 in Switzerland are aware of breast cancer screening. Yet only 62 percent have actually undergone a mammography in the past two years. Across Switzerland, just 35 percent of women participate regularly. These are the findings of a new representative survey conducted by the independent market research institute YouGov on behalf of AstraZeneca Switzerland. Women who were actively approached about screening by a gynaecologist are significantly more likely to participate.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among women. In Switzerland, around 6,800 women and 60 men are diagnosed each year; every six hours, a woman dies from breast cancer.i Yet when detected early, the disease is curable in many cases.ii Currently, 23 of 26 cantons either offer an organised screening programme or are planning to introduce one.iii
A representative study by YouGov on behalf of AstraZeneca shows that cantonal programmes significantly increase participation. However, there is still a clear gap between awareness and actual use: although 98 percent of women are aware of breast cancer screening, only 62 percent have had a mammography in the past two years. The data also show that non-participation is not primarily attributable to educational background: although more women with higher education are aware of the cantonal programmes, 43 percent of women with higher education do not make use of them.
Large Differences Between Cantons With and Without Early Detection Programmes
The evidence is clear that organised programmes work: a study by Hirslanden and the Lucerne Cantonal Hospital shows that outside cantonal programmes, the share of late-stage breast cancer diagnoses (stages III and IV) is 11 percent higher.iv The representative YouGov survey commissioned by AstraZeneca confirms this. In cantons with a programme, 52 percent of women participate regularly, compared with just 35 percent nationwide. This gap is largely driven by cantons without a programme, where only 7 percent of women have regular mammographies. The benefit is clear: regular mammographies detect breast cancer earlier and significantly increase the chances of recovery. The European screening guidelines therefore define a participation rate of 75 percent as the threshold for effective prevention.v
Organised programmes also offer quality standards that are not guaranteed in mammographies conducted outside a cantonal programme: mandatory double reading by two medical specialists, systematic quality controls, minimal radiation exposure, and standardised training of specialist staff.
Four Key Barriers Keep Women From Participating
Although early detection programmes enjoy a high level of awareness across Switzerland, the study identifies four key barriers that prevent women from participating:
- Concern about overdiagnosis is the strongest barrier, cited by 39 percent of respondents. Women worry about findings that would never have needed treatment. This concern is shaped by family and friends, the media, and doctors.
- Fear of pain has a stronger impact on women who have never participated or who are not familiar with the programme. 29 percent cite fear of pain.
- Uncertainty about costs keeps many women from participating. Although the mammography within the programme costs 20 francs regardless of the deductible, the cost regulation is not sufficiently known. One third of women familiar with the programme and 46 percent of non-users estimate the costs differently.
- Medical recommendations are not consistent enough. Only 39 percent of healthcare professionals consistently recommend cantonal programmes. Yet a doctor's recommendation is the most important driver of participation: 86 percent of users were approached about the programme by a healthcare professional (e.g. gynaecologist, general practitioner), compared with only 72 percent of non-users and 59 percent of those unaware of the programme.
Christina Christen, President of Europa Donna Switzerland, is familiar with these barriers from conversations with women across the country. "Doubts are a natural part of the breast cancer topic — that's human. Our task is to inform women factually and not leave them alone with their concerns. Today's medicine has little in common with that of twenty years ago." She has even less understanding for the fact that outdated studies are repeatedly cited in the debate: "This harms women and prevents more of those affected from receiving a timely diagnosis." Her appeal to all women: "Inform yourselves. Every early diagnosis can save lives and improve quality of life."
Activation Can Be Increased Through Gynaecologists and Written Reminders
To sustainably increase the participation rate in Switzerland, the study results suggest the following starting points:
- The written invitation by post is the most important activation driver. 55 percent of all participants were reached via this channel. Since programme websites are not often consulted according to the study, it is important to use the invitation to simultaneously inform about costs and the risk of overdiagnosis.
- Gynaecologists are the second most important point of contact and have a significant influence on the decision to participate. They should be much more strongly involved in communication and trained accordingly in continuing education.
- Reminders work: 53 percent of women who have never participated or have only participated once would likely go for a mammography if reminded. The preferred channel here is also post or email.
The survey shows that the potential exists to achieve a participation rate of 75 percent. The task now is to reach and inform the target group more effectively. Participation in screening should expressly remain voluntary. The goal is not to pressure women into participating, but to enable them to make an informed decision based on clear information and low-threshold access.
References:
i Nationale Krebsregistrierungsstelle: Brustkrebs in der Schweiz. Abgerufen von: https://nkrs.ch/upload/downloads/Berichte%20und%20Statistiken/CancerFactsheets/Brustkrebs_Factsheet.pdf
ii Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz: Evaluation der Brustkrebsmortalität im Deutschen Mammographie‐Screening‐Programm. Abgerufen von: https://www.bfs.de/DE/bfs/wissenschaft-forschung/medizin/abgeschlossen/mammographiescreening-mortalitaet.html
iii Swiss Cancer Screening: Angebot in ihrem Kanton: Abgerufen von: https://www.swisscancerscreening.ch/de/angebote-in-ihrem-kanton
iv Gutzeit et al., (2024). Breast cancer in Switzerland: a comparison between organized-screening versus opportunistic-screening cantons. ESMO Open. Abgerufen von: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2059702924014820
v Union POotE (2017) European guidelines for breast cancer screening and diagnosis: the European breast guidelines. Available via http://op.europa. eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/b7b66c78-e139-11e6-ad7c01aa75ed71a1/language-en/format-PDF
Media contact
Tel. +41 (0) 41 725 75 75; media.switzerland@astrazeneca.com
Basil Hofstetter, Study Lead at AstraZeneca Switzerland
About the Study
The representative survey was conducted by the independent market research institute YouGov on behalf of AstraZeneca Switzerland. A total of 1,506 women aged 49 to 75 from German-speaking Switzerland, French-speaking Switzerland, and Ticino were surveyed between 24 June and 7 July 2026. The results are representative of the female resident population of Switzerland in the target group of the cantonal screening programmes. The study was conducted and evaluated by the independent market research institute YouGov in accordance with recognised market research standards. The results reflect the responses of the women surveyed; AstraZeneca had no influence on the survey results. The European screening guidelines, to which the Swiss quality standards also refer, define a participation rate of 75 percent as the target value for effective prevention.
AstraZeneca in Switzerland
AstraZeneca is a global, research-driven biopharmaceutical company that has been active in Switzerland for nearly 50 years and ranks among the ten largest pharmaceutical companies in the country by revenue. AstraZeneca researches, develops, and markets prescription medicines primarily in the areas of oncology; cardiovascular, renal and metabolism; respiratory and immunology; and rare diseases. More than 280 employees in Switzerland are committed to improving the lives of patients with innovative therapies and making a positive contribution to the healthcare system, society, and the planet. Currently, over 275,000 people in Switzerland are treated with an AstraZeneca medicine. Between 2026 and 2028, the company expects the approval of 40 new therapies. AstraZeneca is clearly committed to a working environment based on respect and acceptance. In 2025, the company was recognised as a "Great Place to Work" for the seventh consecutive year and carries the "Swiss LGBTI Label". By 2045, AstraZeneca aims to be carbon negative.
More information about AstraZeneca Switzerland: www.astrazeneca.ch