The desease advocacy groups perpetuate this mindset and they often quote doctors that work with them. When any cancer for which there is no test is discussed, it is often mentioned that the absence of a test to detect it early is the reason why people die from it.

I’ve seen doctors’ blogs posts that say how 5-year survival is higher when the desease X is detected earlier. I am just a layperson, but I couldn’t resist posting and asking if he had ever heard of the lead-time bias.

I think the only way to change public mindset is to stop omitting risks when discussing screening, explaining the difference between survival and mortality, discussing variable course of the desease, and explaining the benefit of any screening in absolute rather than relative numbers. Yes, there is no time for this during office visits. But there is no such restrictions on providing information on websites. I think just having more balanced presentation of benefits and risks of screening on popular medical websites and in the media may have some effect on public’s mindset. Maybe not much of an effect, but some.

Some time ago AMA Virtual Mentor’s article when discussing a case of a patient’s refusal to do recommended screening and doctor’s reaction, mentioned that in today’s world belief in screening crossed the line from science into religion with “believers” wanting to convert everyone else. It is very difficult to change mindset of a believer.

Screening also does not equal prevention.

But the mantra of screening, early detection and early tx has been remorselessly drummed into the public’s head. Changing this mindset is not going to be easy, because it is so entrenched.