This was an interesting article; however, its usefulness was limited because of the lack of clarity about what makes for effective screening.1
Any screening proposals should be subject to the Wilson/Jungner criteria for an effective screening programme. This is presumably what the US Taskforce and UK National Screening Committee have done, concluding that there is insufficient evidence of benefit. As screening always has the potential for harms as well as benefits, the criteria for effective screening programmes must always be to the forefront of any discussion. It was disappointing that this was not done in this article.
Specialist interest groups often seem to be more enthusiastic about screening than the evidence supports, hence the objective approach of the National Screening Committee is necessary and should be respected.
- © British Journal of General Practice 2018
REFERENCE
- 1.↵