Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


2

Cancer Experts Worried About Screening

American Cancer Society to warn of risks as well as benefits

Share

(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)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

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

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
2 comments
VIEWING:
 
rakewell
Oct 21, 09 2:00 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! Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
bewilderbeast
Oct 21, 09 4:10 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"! Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

77 Stories

OPINION

Mammogram Backdown
Hurts Health Reform

Sebelius played politics, missed chance to show leadership

Nov 20, 09 1:50 AM CST
(Newser) - Health secretary Kathleen Sebelius has set back the cause of health care reform in her rush to distance herself from the recommendation of her own department's task force concerning mammograms, writes Steven Pearlstein. The advice that women under 50 shouldn't get annual mammograms was based on science, and Sebelius should... More »

MORE ABOUT:
health care • breast cancer • mammogram • health care reform • Kathleen Sebelius

Gail Collins

Welcome to
the Conspiracy
to Ration Mammograms

Don't you dare deny us unnecessary tests!

Nov 19, 09 9:28 AM CST
(Newser) - Republicans are right: the new government guidelines urging women not to have mammograms in their 40s are definitely a nefarious conspiracy to start rationing care. “Whatever happens, we do not want the government conducting any studies on whether current health practices actually do any good,” writes Gail Collins... More »

MORE ABOUT:
breast cancer • preventative medicine • rationing • mammogram • Gail Collins • U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

New Mammogram Advice
Not US Policy: Sebelius

'These recommendations are not ours,' HHS Secretary asserts

Nov 18, 09 5:22 PM CST
(Newser) - The recommendation from the US Preventative Services Task Force that women in their 40s should not get mammograms is not government policy, said the secretary of Health and Human Services. Kathleen Sebelius tried to tamp down some of the controversy that has followed the panel’s decision, asserting that government... More »

MORE ABOUT:
breast cancer • Health and Human Services • preventative medicine • mammogram • Kathleen Sebelius

77 Stories


Science & Health  •  Business 
TwitterFollow @NewserScience on Twitter

 
cancer • breast cancer • prostate cancer • American Cancer Society • mammogram • cancer screening • women's issues

from our news partners