Is overdiagnosis behind the increase in melanoma cases?
Is the tremendous increase in melanoma diagnoses a cancer epidemic, or an "epidemic of overdiagnosis"? More
Lowering the age for colon cancer screening: What could go wrong?
The US Preventive Services Task Force recently issued a draft recommendation to lower the starting age of colorectal cancer screening (CRC) from 50 to 45. We examine both the potential benefits and harms of expanding screening to a younger age group. More
Why we need to reduce low-value carotid imaging
To what extent have efforts to change clinician habits worked, when it comes to low-value carotid imaging? We interviewed Dr. Tim Anderson, co-author of a recent study on the topic, to find out more. More
Nearly half of older adults get overscreened for cancer
A recent study in JAMA finds that nearly half of older adults are still screened for certain cancers above the recommended age. More
Guest Blog: Is GRAIL the “holy grail” of cancer screening?
From Dr. Ronald Adler, why we should be wary of the promises of GRAIL and other liquid biopsy companies. More
Reduced cancer screenings in Covid-19
A study found that preventive cancer screenings sharply declined due to Covid-19. What effect will this dramatic decline in screening have on patient health? More
A simple intervention to reduce thyroid cancer overdiagnosis
When it comes to thyroid cancers, the more you look, the more you find. Scanning technology developed over the past few decades has made it easier to find small thyroid nodules, even when scanning other parts of the body (these are called “incidental findings”). More scanning has led to an increasing number of thyroid cancer […] More
What information is missing from lung cancer screening websites?
Recent research finds that websites for lung cancer screening programs tout the benefits of screening, but the harms...not so much. More
CT scan is a reliable test for COVID-19. Why aren’t we using it?
We could be identifying more Covid-19 cases now, without the swab tests we’re screaming for. Here’s how. More
Testing, testing: Why social distancing alone is not enough
Even though the U.S. has stumbled badly on coronavirus testing testing, it’s not too late to slow the outbreak. Here’s how. More
Media coverage of screening guideline changes: A case study
Just in time for colorectal cancer screening month, a new analysis shows how the media portrayed a controversial screening guideline change. More
New guidelines validate push back on thyroid surgery: Patient story update
Eleven years ago, Julie Martinez decided not to have her thyroid removed after a small nodule was discovered. In an update to her story, Julie shares what has happened since then. More
The secret harms of cancer screening
"Screening saves lives" is a popular sentiment. But what about the potential downsides of cancer screening? More
How many of the “best” hospitals provide low-value cardiovascular screening?
A new study finds that even the "best" hospitals in the nation commonly offer unnecessary cardiovascular screening tests to wealthy patients. More
Media misleads on MRI screening for breast cancer
Media coverage of a recent study is generating hype about supplemental screening for cancer for women with dense breasts. More
Facebook’s “preventive health” tool has potential for overdiagnosis
Privacy isn't the only thing we should be worried about with Facebook's new preventive health tool More
Are 3D mammograms better than none?
The hype around 3D mammograms misleads patients about the benefits of cancer screening. More
Incidence vs mortality: Which cancers are we overdiagnosing?
Over the past several decades, the medical community has made many positive advances in cancer prevention and treatment, leading to reduced deaths from cancer. However, for some types of cancer, we have not improved mortality rates despite pouring billions of dollars into early detection efforts. Which types of cancers are we preventing, which types are […] More
Routine urine testing: It’s a culture problem
Testing asymptomatic adults for urinary tract infections often leads to overdiagnosis and overtreatment. So why do doctors keep doing it? More
Fear of dementia could lead to overtreatment
What are the potential consequences of widespread testing for preclinical Alzheimer's Disease? More