The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the Western world and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (March 2024) |
Cancer screening | |
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Purpose | detection of cancer prior to onset of symptoms (via several tests/imaging) |
The objective of cancer screening is to detect cancer before symptoms appear, involving various methods such as blood tests, urine tests, DNA tests, and medical imaging.[1][2] The purpose of screening is early cancer detection, to make the cancer easier to treat and extending life expectancy.[3] In 2019, cancer was the second leading cause of death globally; more recent data is pending due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]
Universal screening, also known as mass screening or population screening, involves the screening of individuals within certain age and gender groups, aiming to screen the population for particular cancers or cancer risk factors.[5] Selective screening, also known as targeted screening, identifies individuals with a higher risk of developing cancer, including individuals with a family history (genetic risk) of cancer or individuals engaging in high-risk behaviors such as smoking.[5]
The act of cancer screening plays a pivotal role in both preventing cancer and providing early diagnosis, contributing to increased success rates in treatment and ultimately extending life expectancy.[6] Controversy arises when it is not clear if the benefits of the screening outweigh the risks associated with the screening procedure, as well as the subsequent diagnostic tests and cancer treatments.[7] Cancer screening is susceptible to producing both false negative and false positive results, underlining the importance of considering the possible errors in the screening process.[8] Additionally, cancer screening can lead to overtreatment if the screening identifies a tumor that is ultimately benign (non-cancerous).[6]