• 01
  • December
    2011

How often should people be tested for cancer? The medical literature has been in flux in recent years on this question.

To be sure, failing to test often enough remains a problem. After all, failure to diagnose cancer is a common form of medical malpractice. Everyone knows that if cancer isn't diagnosed in time, the chances of treating it effectively dwindle rapidly - and sometimes disappear entirely.

In recent years, however, several studies have shown that, in some cases, it is also possible to test too frequently. That is because of problems that include false positives, intrusive testing procedures, and harmful side effects from treatment.

Recent polling results suggest that people's perceptions of the role of cancer screening tests are evolving along with the medical literature. Nearly one of every three Americans (31 percent) believes that cancer screening tests do not occur frequently enough. But 7 percent believe that testing is done too often.

It isn't difficult to understand the divergence of opinion. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has changed its recommendations substantially in the last year or two on the use of mammograms check for breast cancer and PSA tests for prostate cancer. The task force's revised guidelines, calling for fewer tests, have generated considerable controversy among medical practitioners and the general public.

It isn't reasonable to expect everyone to agree. What's needed are doctors and nurses who are committed to continuing education and able to respond intelligently to national guidelines as they continue to evolve.

Source: "Americans Comfortable With Cancer Screening Frequency," Gallup, 11-30-2011