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Principles of Cancer Screening
1Radiology Service, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA.
Cancer Control : Journal of the Moffitt Cancer Center
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Cancer screening aims for early detection before symptoms appear. Establishing clear principles for screening programs is crucial to ensure benefits outweigh risks and costs.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Public Health
- Medical Ethics
Background:
- Early cancer detection before clinical manifestation is a desirable goal.
- Cancer screening remains controversial, with confusion regarding its acceptance and implementation.
- While benefits exist, risks, economic costs, and psychological effects of screening require careful consideration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the complexities and controversies surrounding cancer screening.
- To highlight the need for established principles in designing effective cancer screening programs.
- To emphasize the potential of beneficial screening strategies in altering disease progression.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on cancer screening principles and controversies.
- Analysis of the benefits, risks, economic factors, and psychological impacts of screening.
- Discussion of criteria for evaluating the worthiness of cancer screening programs.
Main Results:
- Cancer screening is a complex issue with both clear benefits and significant drawbacks.
- The effectiveness of screening hinges on detecting cancer before systemic spread.
- Established principles are necessary to guide the selection of cancers, tests, and outcome measurements.
Conclusions:
- A beneficial cancer screening program must detect disease early, alter its natural history, and delay mortality.
- Clear governing principles are essential for the successful and ethical implementation of cancer screening.
- Further research and consensus-building are needed to address the controversies in cancer screening.