ST Alpha - "That's why prostate screening tests aren't covered here. Too many false positives, etc. but I figure that if only a few people are saved it's worth it -- nm" (Reading a Post)

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In response to "Stealing znu's NYT thunder: cancer screening may be more popular than useful. -- (link)" by TFox

That's why prostate screening tests aren't covered here. Too many false positives, etc. but I figure that if only a few people are saved it's worth it -- nm

Posted by zork Oct 31 '11, 08:38

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Responses:

except, the treatment for a false positive can be harmful. -- nm - Zombie Liz Taylor Oct 31, 08:40 11
- I expect that a follow-up test would be done before treatment -- nm - zork Oct 31, 08:41 10
  - which might turn up another false positive. -- nm - Zombie Liz Taylor Oct 31, 08:44 9
    - offs. the chances of two false positives on the same person? much less than the cases you find by screening. -- nm - zork Oct 31, 08:45 8
      - Their point is, overaggressive treatment is more harmful than no treatment. -- nm - Zombie Liz Taylor Oct 31, 08:47 7
        
        It's not exactly that it's "more harmful", it's more like unnecessary. The overwhelming majority of cases of prostate cancer are so slow-growing that - Trish Oct 31, 08:57 4
        
        depends on the treatment, I would imagine. - this is my costume Oct 31, 08:59 3
        
        Surgery and other treatments can be harmful as well. -- nm - Zombie Liz Taylor Oct 31, 09:03 2
        
        agreed. in any case, it made me sure as f*ck not want to get cancer. - this is my costume Oct 31, 09:04 1
        
        I am not sure yet about totally skipping screenings, but we have to take a careful look at whether overtesting - Zombie Liz Taylor Oct 31, 09:05
        
        well, that's not exactly their point. -- nm - TFox Oct 31, 08:52
        
        *walks away* -- nm - zork Oct 31, 08:51

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