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Misunderstanding here. The question is at what age is the base rate in the population sufficiently high that a test with a certain sensitivity and specificity u
by poirot2 4y ago
Misunderstanding here. The question is at what age is the base rate in the population sufficiently high that a test with a certain sensitivity and specificity useful net risks. Multiple studies have shown that these screening programmes don’t have a huge impact on mortality - excluding lead time bias etc. and noting the c. 10 in 100k extra cases of cancer caused by the screening. Here’s a review for prostate screening that’s even more damning about its usefulness - https://med-fom-urlgsci.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2007/06/P-ca-screening.pdf https://med-fom-urlgsci.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2007/06/P-ca-...
- pas 4y agowould it be possible to use MRI for screening?
- manarth 4y agoMRI scans take longer, are often more uncomfortable for the patient (being in an enclosed, noisy machine), require much larger capital investment than an X-ray (and therefore supply is more limited), and have a higher cost per exam than an X-ray. It almost certainly would be possible to use MRI for screening, but the impact would be a reduction in availability and a higher cost.