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Cancer Experts Worried About Screening

American Cancer Society to warn of risks as well as benefits

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 21, 2009 1:22 AM CDT

(Newser) – The American Cancer Society is rethinking its advice on screening for breast and prostate cancer amid studies showing that the tests can miss the deadliest forms of the disease, and in some cases lead to dangerous, unnecessary treatment. The society is working on a new message stressing that cancer screening comes with risks as well as benefits, and urging people to make sure they understand both before they are screened.

Widespread screening has led to a huge increase in diagnosis of breast and prostate cancers, but without a corresponding drop in mortality rates. The problem is that screening can't yet detect which tumors are harmful and which will likely vanish on their own, experts say. Some doctors fear greater discussion of the risks might turn people away from screening altogether. ”The fact that screening is no panacea does not mean that it is useless," one biostatistician tells the New York Times

New studies have called into question the fight against cancer's emphasis on early screening.
New studies have called into question the fight against cancer's emphasis on early screening.   (Shutter Stock)
Some experts believe better treatment, not increased screening, is responsible for the fall in breast cancer deaths in recent decades.
Some experts believe better treatment, not increased screening, is responsible for the fall in breast cancer deaths in recent decades.   (AP Photo/Kent Gilbert)
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We don’t want people to panic. But I’m admitting that American medicine has over-promised when it comes to screening. The advantages to screening have been exaggerated.
- Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer
of the American Cancer Society

Politically, it’s almost unacceptable. If you question overdiagnosis in breast cancer, you are against women. If you question overdiagnosis in prostate cancer, you are against men.
- Dr. Peter Albertsen of the urology division at the University of Connecticut

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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
bewilderbeast
Oct 21, 2009 9:10 AM CDT
The medical fraternity's first instinct is to patronise and prescribe (OK, lie) to the public. They now admit "The advantages to screening have been exaggerated" - Watch what they do next. It's time doctors learnt people are not stupid, and it is their duty to tell the whole story. Proof: Get two opinions on your cancer: One from an oncologist, one from a surgeon. The oncologist will prescribe chemo EVERY TIME and the surgeon surgery, EVERY TIME. And you thought you were getting "the best advice"!
rakewell
Oct 21, 2009 7:00 AM CDT
The doctors who fear this will turn people away are right... This is America... Something's either GOOD or BAD. There is no room in between!

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