Screen
Screen (Medicine)
Screen (pronounced: /skriːn/) is a term used in medicine to refer to a variety of tests or procedures used to detect disease early in individuals who have no symptoms. The etymology of the word "screen" in this context is derived from the idea of a sieve or a mesh used to separate or filter out unwanted material.
Types of Screening
There are several types of medical screening, including:
- Genetic screening: This involves testing a group of people to identify individuals at high risk of having or passing on a genetic disorder.
- Cancer screening: This involves testing for early stages of cancer before symptoms appear. Examples include mammography for breast cancer and colonoscopy for colorectal cancer.
- Prenatal screening: This involves testing for diseases or conditions in a fetus or embryo before it is born.
- Newborn screening: This involves testing newborn babies for certain harmful or potentially fatal disorders that aren't otherwise apparent at birth.
Benefits and Risks
The main benefit of screening is the early detection of diseases, which can lead to more effective treatment and prevention strategies. However, screening tests also have risks, such as false-positive results, overdiagnosis, and the physical and psychological effects of unnecessary testing.
Related Terms
- Diagnostic test: A type of medical test performed to assist in the diagnosis or detection of disease.
- Preventive medicine: The part of medicine engaged with preventing disease rather than curing it.
- Public health: The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Screen
- Wikipedia's article - Screen
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