Screening and early cancer detection

NCI is the primary research institution that has funded most of the research to establish evidence of benefit from mass cancer screening. A study of prostate, lung, and colorectal cancer is presently being planned. These trials are large, expensive, and require 10 to 15 years or longer to complete. RCST trials are only feasible in the three or four most common sites. While developing better evidence, NCI suggests the Working Guidelines for the Early Detection of Cancer in seven sites where direct and/or indirect evidence suggests benefit. The potential for early cancer detection to contribute to a decrease in cancer mortality is great. However, unless early detection is applied by the public and by physicians, it is useless. It is hoped that this chapter has been helpful to physicians and oncologists in judging these matters and applying the benefits to patients.