Rethinking Cancer Screening

This week in a surprise letter to the Journal of the American Medical Association or JAMA the researchers who did an extensive 20 year survey of cancer survivors and screening tests for breast and prostate cancer found that the screening did not significantly affect survival.  What they found was that screening led to finding of smaller tumors, which a lot of us have, many of which are transient and not cancerous.  This then leads to over-treatment of early cancers which may, in the long run, have little effect on how long one lives.  The premise of early screening for breast and prostate cancers is that if you catch the cancer in an early stage you can then do something about it, thus preventing early death due to cancer if caught too late.  Great in theory but not so great in practice.  Because the PSA test for prostate cancer and the mammogram in breast cancer has drawbacks and risks, particularly for mammograms and ionizing radiation damage to breast cells.  

In aggressive breast tumors the mammograms might not catch the tumor in time before it spreads, same for the PSA test in prostate cancer because they can grow and metastasize quickly.  What we are learning is that some tumors don't need to be treated and the immune system can just get rid of them by itself. Meaning that some cancers can go away without treatment.   We are catching early tumors with screening which leads to over-treatment because many may just go away.  What we aren't doing is reducing the deadly cancers by our current screening techniques.  All of this has lead the American Cancer Society, a long time advocate of mammograms and PSA testing to change their tune in recommendations of these tests.  

I cannot describe how BIG this report is.  It says a couple of major things.  One is that the ACS and AMA are both rethinking what they are recommending for early detection of breast and prostate cancer.  Mammograms have been a topic of debate in it's ability to CAUSE cancer due to the ionizing radiation it emits and how effective a yearly mammogram truly is in saving your life. Also, men are having their prostates taken out, perhaps unnecessarily.  

My general problem with screening tests is that was are looking for cancers.  By this time, cancers are already there.  What would be better is to educate the general public on what to do to prevent cancers from happening.  Like ensure you get your vitamin D levels checked, to keep your CoQ10 levels up, to deal with earlier signs of hormone imbalance etc.  Breast thermography which is FDA approved as an adjunct to mammograms can tell years before an actual tumor forms that there are problems in the breast.  Here are some easy tips on preventing breast cancer. Another article I wrote on keeping your system balanced.  The body is a complex organism and we generally have many warning signs that things are wrong before we get cancer.  Start listening to your body.  Don't forget to read how obesity is linked to cancer. 

Share on Facebook

Comments

[Air Jordans]

SOSOSO....I MADE A STUPID MISTAKE, HEARTS WILL BREAK.

[Coach Factory Online]

spingere i consumatori del Lazio ad andare ad acquistare nelle Regioni limitrofe

[MBT Shoes]

It's so nice to have you do all of the research for us. It makes our decision making so much easier!! Thanks.

[bird house]

Good stuff you have here, I was going to mention this to a good friend of mine

[New Era Hats]

Good article! Thank you so much for sharing this post.Your views truly open my mind.Do what makes you happy. Be with who makes you smile. Laugh as much as you breathe. Love as long as you live.

[Nike Beach Sandals]

I'm really surprised, this article is very good, I took more than 2 years of reading articles on topics related and have never had the pleasure of reading something so complete, I am fascinated, I can do that if you send me information to keep up with new contributions.

[Mens Supra Society]

very good,thank you very much.

[Curtis35TONI]

Every one admits that modern life is not cheap, nevertheless people need money for different things and not every man gets enough cash. So to receive quick loan or small business loan will be a right way out.

[jordan cool grey]

Thanks for sharing. This website is to I too have to help. Very good.I like the way you write.

[rent my house for Olympics]

What do you mean by this? That such a scan is bad or dosen`t found the disease.

[cheap fitted hats]

One Piece New Era with the launch of the joint cap section has recently introduced a new pirate style, in a baseball cap part of the launch of a group of white Huzi Hai thief, thief dark Huzi Hai group, the fire fist Aisi Hai Hu thief red flag and the flag of pirates to attract support to these pirates and characters fans

[Ugg Clearance]

Hi there might I reference some of the insight here in this blog site if I reference you with a link back again on your site?

[Belstaff Jacket UK]

I really like this website , and hope you will write more ,thanks a lot for your information,thank u very much.

[Onitsuka Tiger]

Mean I just read through the entire article of yours and it was quite good but since I'm more of a visual learner,I found that to be more helpful.

[Nike Air Max]

Experience is the mother of wisdom. Every man is his own worst enemy.

[china wholesale]

Hi, the article is so wonderful, I am interested in it. I will pay attention to your articles.