This week JAMA Internal Medicine published a meta-analysis from Norway Estimated Lifetime Gained With Cancer Screening Tests with eye-catching findings: colonoscopy and FOBT screenings don’t extend lifespan.
It was received by many in the U.S. medical community as an interesting article with flawed assumptions.
AGA concurs with the American Cancer Society’s comments on the study that cancer screening was never really designed to increase longevity. Screenings are really designed to decrease premature deaths from cancer.
“Cancer prevention and earlier stage diagnoses through colorectal cancer screening provides significant morbidity and cost benefits, even if all-cause mortality is not reduced.”
For a deep dive into the study methodology and limitations, check out Really? Cancer Screening Doesn’t Save Lives? Impact Factor with F. Perry Wilson, MD, MSCE on Medscape.
