Cancer screening and early detection in the 21st century
Authors from Maryland reviewed the trends and principles of cancer screening and early detection. Starting 1990, overall cancer mortality in US has decreased by 25% that can be attributed to the use of high-quality cancer screening methods. Those do not always work as effectively for rapidly growing tumors or the ones that disseminate early. Nonetheless, a successfully designed and implemented screening program can be highly effective. The recommended age to begin routine screening varies according to the cancer type (e.g., 50 years for colorectal cancer). Cervical cancer screening is an example of an accurate screening test use (PAP, colposcopy, HPV testing) with high sensitivity and specificity. The identification of a high risk candidates and new technologies development are improving patient survival over time.