Few Doctors Explain Harms of Cancer Tests

A survey suggests that most doctors aren’t telling people about the possible harms of cancer screenings. The study was based on an online survey. It included 317 men and women, ages 50 to 69. Only 9.5% said their doctors had told them that cancer screening tests can lead to
over diagnosis
and overtreatment. These possible harms include follow-up tests for abnormal results that turn out not to be cancer. People also may get treatment for cancers that were unlikely to cause harm in their lifetimes. About 80% said they would have wanted to know about these risks before getting screened. People also were asked how much
over diagnosis
was OK when weighed against possibly catching a cancer early. The answer depended on whether they were already getting the tests.