What are the Risks and Limitations of Cancer Screening?
While screening can save lives, it is not without risks and limitations:
False positives and false negatives: Screening tests may sometimes indicate cancer when there is none (false positive) or miss cancer when it is present (false negative). Overdiagnosis: Some screenings may detect cancers that would not have caused harm during the patient's lifetime, leading to unnecessary treatment and anxiety. Cost and accessibility: Screening can be expensive and may not be easily accessible to everyone, especially in low-resource settings.
