One of the most important factors to consider when deciding whether or not to order cancer screening is the patient's life expectancy. "If a patient has other illnesses and only has a five-year life expectancy, then it doesn't make sense to screen them for breast cancer or another cancer when we know from research that patients so not benefit from screening for at least five years."
For example, a very healthy and active 80 year-old who could be expected to live possibly 13 years longer, is more likely to be helped by cancer screening than a 70-year-old who has severe congestive heart failure along with other major health problems who is unlikely to reach age 75.
The risks and burdens of every screening test should be considered carefully before being ordered. Screening test results can be inaccurate or inconclusive necessitating further, often invasive testing such as biopsy and additional stress for the patient. Patients with advanced illnesses and limited life expectancies can suffer unnecessary harm and complications from finding an early cancer and having surgery or other invasive treatments. Many cancers found early through screening tests would not have progressed quickly enough to affect these patients during their limited lifetime.
In the case of those patients with dementia, a screening test and work-up can be a very traumatic and scary experience. It may be traumatic enough to significantly decrease their quality of life.
Ultimately the decision, that any physician should respect to have a screening test or not should be the patients. It is very important that physicians discuss both the risks and the benefits of screening tests and respect the decision the patient makes. Many patients will get relief and piece of mind from having a screening test, while others may not want to have a test if they can avoid it at all no matter the risk.
Content Courtesy from www.about.com
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