health
Experts don't see enough data to recommend bladder cancer screening
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Sept. 5, 2011
There is insufficient evidence to recommend regular screening for bladder cancer, according to guidance from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force published Aug. 16 in Annals of Internal Medicine. This marks a slight change from 2004, when the task force recommended against routine screening for the disease.
Bladder cancer is the fourth-most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and the ninth-most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, the study says.
The panel of experts examined recent data on screening for bladder cancer and treating the condition. The group found no direct evidence that screening is associated with improved health outcomes and said there is inadequate evidence on the harms associated with testing for the disease (link).
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/09/05/hlbf0905.htm.
