MSD Cancer Barometer 2026 celebrates 5 years and shows: Clear stance of the Swiss population: Cancer prevention is a must

Early detection and prevention remain very important to the majority of respondents in the anniversary edition of the Cancer Barometer. Despite this high approval, certain measures, such as HPV vaccinations or preventative lung cancer screenings, are still rarely acknowledged and utilized, says Lukas Golder, co-director of the gfs.bern research institute. When comparing cervical smears or mammograms with PSA tests for prostate carcinoma, women take cancer prevention considerably more seriously than men.

Switzerland invests little in prevention - clear majority demands more

One of the central findings of the 5th wave of the MSD Cancer Barometer is the respondents' clear commitment to more investments in prevention. In 2022, Switzerland invested approximately 0.48% of its gross domestic product (GDP) in prevention. Compared to neighbouring countries, Switzerland invests relatively little in terms of GDP (Germany: 0.99%, Austria: 0.83%, Italy: 0.54%). When asked whether Switzerland should invest more, the same, or less money in prevention in the future, respondents' attitudes are also clear: two-thirds want to invest more, 24% the same amount, and only 3% less.

Early detection measures: important but underutilized

In a representative survey conducted between 2-19 February 2026 by the gfs.bern research institute, commissioned by MSD Switzerland, 1,264 people (aged 18 and over) in Switzerland were surveyed by phone or online. When it comes to early detection measures (e.g., cancer screenings) and timely initiation of therapy following a cancer diagnosis, approximately nine out of ten respondents rate these as very important or rather important in this anniversary year.

While female-specific early detection measures are met with broad approval, this is significantly lower for male-specific ones: 91% consider the cervical smear (Pap test for early detection of possible changes in the cervix) very or rather important, and 88% rate mammography (X-ray of breasts for early detection of breast cancer) similarly. For men, it looks slightly different: 76% find the self-examination for testicular cancer very or rather important, and only 65% consider the so-called PSA test (blood test for prostate- specific antigen) for early detection of prostate cancer very or rather important. Colorectal screenings, early detection of lung cancer, and HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination obtain between 69% and 83% approval from both male and female respondents.

Although all early detection measures are considered important, only a few have been carried out at least once: the cervical smear by 78% and mammography by 58% of respondents at least once. Less than half have ever undergone skin checks for skin cancer prevention (47%), colorectal screening 45%, a PSA test 41%. Only a few have been vaccinated against HPV (18%) or participated in lung cancer screening (8%). Thus, the discrepancy between the assessed importance and the implementation of early detection measures also persists in the 5th wave of the Cancer Barometer.

National strategies and coordination required

Interestingly, although early detection measures are not regularly used, respondents still want financial resources for cancer prevention allocated within the national cancer plan: between 77% and 92% want the above-mentioned early detection measures funded. Fairness also plays a major role in this year's survey: 98% of respondents want access to cancer prevention and treatment irrespective of income.

A uniform access to cancer care - regardless of income and place of residence - is desired by 97% of participants. 88% demand national coordination in the fight against cancer. Additionally interesting, 94% of respondents believe that long-term savings can be achieved through investments in cancer prevention and early detection. In principle, 84% are convinced that national coordination in combating cancer brings more efficiency and quality. In this context, 73% of the respondents are convinced that the federal government should take the lead in combating cancer. However, regarding whether the federal government, the cantons, or both equally should be responsible for cancer prevention (prevention and early detection), 54% view both as equally responsible, 35% the federal government, and only 7% the cantons.

When considering that currently, due to Switzerland's federal system, the individual cantons have sovereignty over their health care, these results indicate a trend in the opposite direction. Quote Lukas Golder, gfs.bern

Five-year analysis of the Cancer Care Barometer

Since the first survey in 2021, the monitor shows a stable picture: the population consistently evaluates core medical care - hospital treatment, therapy, medical care - positively, with recently even slightly increasing values. The supply difficulties due to the pandemic have normalized. Among those personally affected, satisfaction with hospital care and therapy access is over 90 percent.

At the same time, the five-year comparison reveals persistent weaknesses: aftercare at home, psychological support, and the guidance of caring relatives have been rated lower than other elements of care since 2021 and have recently partly deteriorated further. In post-treatment care, clear majorities desire access to advice for relatives, a right to psychological aftercare, and state support for reintegration into work.

Equally constant is the gap between attitude and behavior in prevention: large majorities consider cancer early detection very important, yet the actual use of many offers - such as lung cancer screening, HPV vaccination, or colon screening - remains low. In international comparison, Switzerland also invests little in prevention in relation to GDP. The population demands more investments in prevention.

Newly in the 2026 survey, it shows that the desire for national coordination has grown stronger: the federal government, together with the cantons, should take responsibility. Individuals should not have access to early detection and prevention measures based on income or place of residence. The population wants this to be regulated nationally - fairly and equally for everyone.

Source

MSD Cancer Care Monitor 2026: Clear stance of the population: Prevention is a must. National solutions and clear strategies receive strong support. gfs.bern.

Research institute gfs.bern

The gfs.bern research institute, responsible as a whole, can rely on an exceptionally long tradition in empirical social research. Founded in 1959 as a society for the promotion of empirical social research in Switzerland (GfS), it has operated since 1986 as its business area within GfS-Forschungsinstitut AG and since 2004 with its corporate name as gfs.bern ag, focusing on political and communication research. gfs.bern understands itself as a full- service provider with a clear methodological focus. In its market strategy, the company aims at quality leadership in applied social research (specifically: survey research with face-to-face, telephone, online, and written interviews) and has maintained this lead in analyzing political opinion-forming processes for about 20 years. gfs.bern has particularly shaped empirical social research around socio-political and direct-democratic decision-making processes in Switzerland. gfs.bern also possesses long-standing experience in monitoring political and policy processes. Current teaching assignments at the Universities of Zurich, Bern, and Fribourg, as well as various universities of applied sciences, help make the insights gained available for education and regularly reflect on its work scientifically.

For further information, visit www.gfsbern.ch.

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Press Contact:

Media contact gfs.bern
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lukas.golder@gfsbern.ch
Tel. +41 31 311 62 10

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