Question 232 of 433
What is overdiagnosis?
The short answer
Finding a “cancer” that would never have caused harm in your lifetime, and treating it anyway.
When South Korea began screening widely for thyroid cancer with ultrasound, diagnoses rose fifteen-fold. Deaths from thyroid cancer did not change. Tens of thousands of people had surgery and lifelong medication for tumors that would never have troubled them. The same happens to a lesser degree with some prostate and breast findings.
This is why more testing is not automatically better, and why I ask of every scan: if it finds something, will acting on it help this person?
“This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship.” From the book’s medical disclaimer. Full disclaimer
ROBUST SCREENING EVIDENCE — Overdiagnosis can cause harm; its frequency depends on cancer type and population.Evidence grade (draft mapping)ARobust human trialsPart 16, Q232 · Part sources
From Longevity Unmasked by Afshine Ash Emrani, MD, FACC. Medical disclaimer. This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship. Nothing here is meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Medicine is personal: a test, drug, supplement, or exercise plan that helps one person can harm another. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or treatment because of something you read in these pages. Talk with a licensed clinician who knows your history first. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911. The author disclaims responsibility for any loss or harm arising from use of the information in this book.