Screening (medicine)

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Screening (medicine)

Screening (pronunciation: /ˈskriːnɪŋ/) in the context of medicine refers to a strategy used in a population to identify an unrecognized disease in individuals without signs or symptoms. This can include individuals with pre-symptomatic or unrecognized symptomatic disease. As such, screening tests are somewhat unusual in that they are performed on persons apparently in good health.

Etymology

The term "screening" comes from the English word "screen", which means to examine or investigate. In the medical context, it was first used in the early 20th century.

Types of Screening

Screening interventions are designed to identify disease in a community early, thus enabling earlier intervention and management in the hope to reduce mortality and suffering from a disease. Although the term is primarily used in public health, it can also refer to clinical tests, such as the Pap smear.

Universal Screening

In universal screening, the entire population is screened for a specific condition. This is often the case when a condition is very common and has serious consequences if not treated early.

Selective Screening

Selective screening involves screening only high-risk individuals. This is often the case when a condition is less common or when there is a good understanding of risk factors for the condition.

Benefits and Risks

Screening can lead to significant benefits, including early detection and treatment of diseases, and potential prevention of severe outcomes. However, it also carries risks, such as false positives, overdiagnosis, and the physical and psychological effects of unnecessary testing and treatment.

Related Terms

See Also

External links

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