Women under 25 should be offered screening

Who should be offered genetic screening?

General The conditions dealt with here are those where detection of women or couples at risk of having children with burdensome disorders with little or no curative treatment, is feasible. One objective of screening is avoidance of birth of affected individuals by identifying those at risk, prospectively. As important is the reassurance which can follow negative tests. Voluntary participation o...

Rebuttal: Should Canadians be offered systematic prostate cancer screening? NO.

We agree that the reason for systematic screening is the severity of the disease, having an effective method of early detection, and the availability of an early treatment that has a substantial effect on mortality rates. In 2007, however, informed consent to participate in screening is essential. To obtain informed consent, all the conclusive evidence on the risks and benefits of screening mus...

Should Canadians be offered systematic screening for colorectal cancer?: no.

In 2007 in Canada, 20 800 people learned they had colorectal cancer—9400 women and 11 400 men. During the same year, 8700 died of this cancer—4000 women and 4700 men. In Canada over the past 25 years, the mean incidence of colorectal cancer has been stable and the mean mortality rate has shown a slight decrease. After lung cancer, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death by cancer...

Rebuttal: should women 40 to 49 years of age be offered mammographic screening?

Should women 40 to 49 years of age be offered mammographic screening?

It is already accepted that women with an increased risk of developing breast cancer benefit from earlier annual screening. I believe that mammographic screening of all women in their 40s constitutes good practice. Seventy percent of breast cancer is diagnosed in women without any risk factors. So when should screening begin? Many believe that women younger than 50 very rarely get breast cancer...