Some cancer experts see 'overdiagnosis,' question emphasis on early detection.
Linos E, Schroeder SA, Chren M-M. Potential Overdiagnosis of Basal Cell Carcinoma in Older Patients With Limited Life Expectancy. JAMA. 2014;312(10). doi:10.1001/jama.2014.9655.
Overdiagnosis has emerged as a patient safety issue. Reporting on how the push for early identification of cancer has led to screening, detection, and treatment of tumors that may never cause harm, this newspaper article discusses the impact of unnecessary tests and treatment on patients and health systems. Researchers are working to design better tests to distinguish between benign abnormalities and cancers.