[Collection and processing of personal data to evaluate cancer screening programmes - results of a survey of the German population in light of the bill 'early detection of cancer and cancer registries'].

In a representative German sample, 62.1% of participants of cancer screening interventions indicated willingness to provide personal data for data-linkage with cancer registries. An agreement of over 90% is deemed necessary to conduct a meaningful population-based evaluation. The 'early detection of cancer and cancer regis-tries' bill proposed a procedure based on the use of pseudonyms only. This way personal consent is not required but participants are granted the right to object. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.