Skin Cancer Screening

[Mark Rainey]

Good to have a fellow scientist comment Roger. We cannot say screening skin for cancer saves lives. Cancer is a very complex biologic phenomenon. It as not as simple as "cutting it out". We have cancer cells in our body and usually our body destroys them. Early detection usually doesn't work. Shocking for some, but once again, cancer is complex.

This Issue

Views 33,668

Citations 3

941

Comments 10

Original Investigation

August 28, 2023
Estimated Lifetime Gained With Cancer Screening TestsA Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials


Michael Bretthauer, MD, PhD¹; Paulina Wieszczy, MSc, PhD^1,2; Magnus Løberg, MD, PhD¹; et alMichal F. Kaminski, MD, PhD^1,2,3; Tarjei Fiskergård Werner, MSc⁴; Lise M. Helsingen, MD, PhD¹; Yuichi Mori, MD, PhD^1,5; Øyvind Holme, MD, PhD¹; Hans-Olov Adami, MD, PhD^1,6,7; Mette Kalager, MD, PhD¹
Author Affiliations
JAMA Intern Med. 2023;183(11):1196-1203. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.3798



Full Text
Key PointsQuestion Cancer screening tests are promoted to save lives, but how much is life extended due to commonly used cancer screening tests?
Findings In this systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 long-term randomized clinical trials involving 2.1 million individuals, colorectal cancer screening with sigmoidoscopy prolonged lifetime by 110 days, while fecal testing and mammography screening did not prolong life. An extension of 37 days was noted for prostate cancer screening with prostate-specific antigen testing and 107 days with lung cancer screening using computed tomography, but estimates are uncertain.
Meaning The findings of this meta-analysis suggest that colorectal cancer screening with sigmoidoscopy may extend life by approximately 3 months; lifetime gain for other screening tests appears to be unlikely or uncertain.

Think twice before going to the doctor for "your health". Don't medicalize your golden years with endless trips to the doctor with biopsies, colonoscopies, stress tests, orthopedic procedures, and ablative surgeries. Take a walk, talk to a friend or loved one. Make something in the shop.

[Ole Anderson]

As we age, we add to the stable of physicians attending to us for various conditions. Skin is our largest organ, why not attend to it accordingly? I do. While only one or two were "pre-cancerous", in the last two years I had about two dozen SKs (seborrheic keratoses) removed, largely for aesthetic issues. Liquid nitrogen squirted on the spot and within two weeks they fall off. A close friend was just diagnosed with stage four melanoma, a common side effect of his multiple myeloma. He ignored obvious signs until surgery with wide margins was the only option. Sad.

[Stan Calow]

It's not just about extending your life. I've seen friends with cancers on their heads and faces, and it's not pretty.

You can get melanoma in your eye too. Not good.

[Mark Rainey]

As we age, we add to the stable of physicians attending to us for various conditions.

True, but do we need a stable of physicians to maintain our health after age 65? Probably not. I get paid for these services, but I do not think most are necessary.

[Jim Becker]

For those of us more comfortable with using specialists for certain aspects of our wellness care, so be it. For those who prefer otherwise, so be it. Healthcare needs and decisions are individual choices.

[Cameron Wood]

A high school friend died from melanoma in his 30s. We both spent a lot of time at altitude in the mountains. I had a melanoma spot removed on my back that was pretty advanced, since I couldn't see it. It was a major surgery- now I get checked twice a year.

[Brent Gamble]

Melanoma killed my father. I have a 41-year-old niece (sister's daughter) battling stage 4 metastatic melanoma. My son and I have had numerous atypical spots biopsied and removed. A couple of times we each have had wide area excisions due to the severity of the atypia. Everybody in my family gets checked on a regular basis.

[Bill George]

Melanoma killed my father. I have a 41-year-old niece (sister's daughter) battling stage 4 metastatic melanoma. My son and I have had numerous atypical spots biopsied and removed. A couple of times we each have had wide area excisions due to the severity of the atypia. Everybody in my family gets checked on a regular basis.

Correct we have two friends die from skin Cancer, anyone who tells you to Ignore it will go away is a fool. If you wait to long the results are terrible to see. Nope I will go in every six months and have a little little N2 or some slice and dice work done. People are living longer and the old advice to just let it go is no longer valid. The person or people giving that advice is wrong.

[Ted Calver]

As a child of the fifties, when sunscreen consisted of baby oil with iodine, I managed to get some frightful sun burns. Out of an abundance of caution there have been yearly dermatologist visits for many years. Last year they discovered a melanoma in situ, meaning it had not spread, and removed a sizeable chunk of skin from my back. Now I visit every six months and always get a chuckle, because it's the only time outside of marriage I get to strip in front of a beautiful young lady and she doesn't run away. Maybe I should go every three months??

[Mike Henderson]

A friend of mine died from melanoma. It was not pretty.

Mike

[Warren Lake]

family doctor and specialist both said it was nothing and sent me away but i didnt accept that. Poor service to say the least.

Top cabinetmaker I knew lost his son at 32 to Melanoma,no history in the family. Kid was not out in the sun much and he didnt drink much. Bit of beer but it was good european stuff. Father smart and strong and could fix anything, hurt him he was not able to save his own son. Other son scizophrenic. No easy thing both for parents, just the mom left now.

[Bill George]

What I don’t get mine is all covered by Insurance, its not expensive to correct early before it leads to death or worse. Why take a chance? I have a big ugly scar on the side of my face from one surgery that one Dr. Clown said nothing to worry about!

Find a good dermatologist and go once a year or whatever they recommend.