Around 40 percent of cancers are attributable to avoidable risks such as smoking, an unhealthy diet or lack of exercise. A number of cancer (deaths) could also be prevented by early detection measures. But knowledge alone is not enough. What is needed is the development and testing of strategies with which prevention can be successfully implemented in the population. This is precisely where BIPS comes in with the initiative “Model Region Bremen” as part of the National Decade Against Cancer. The aim is to investigate how the potential of cancer prevention can be exploited as effectively and sustainably as possible in a regional context. Due to shared risk factors, not only cancer but also numerous other chronic diseases could be prevented. When developing prevention strategies in the context of the “Model Region Bremen”, particular attention is paid to taking into account the different phases of life and living environments. In addition, attempts are made to use existing structures pragmatically in order to ensure continuity (see approach). A close exchange with politicians and other players in the healthcare system is important in this regard.

As a small yet diverse federal state, Bremen offers very good conditions for this type of research (see Why Bremen?). The transferability of the measures to other regions of Germany is being considered from the outset, with the aim of making a sustainable contribution to a nationwide reduction in cancer incidence and mortality.