Screening in Chronic Disease

Presents the epidemiological methods to help determine which screening procedures are worthwhile, and how often, or to whom, they should be applied. This book focuses on the description and measurement of changes in the natural history of disease brought about by early detection and treatment. It also discusses the use of mathematical models.

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Early detection, or screening, is a common strategy for controlling chronic disease, but little information has been available to help determine which screening procedures are worthwhile, and how often, or to whom, they should be applied. This book presents the epidemiological methods that can be used to answer such questions. The book focuses on the description and measurement of changes in the natural history of disease brought about by early detection and treatment. Vaid methods for assessing the usefulness of screening in reducing morbidity and mortality are emphasized and both experimental and nonexperimental studies are fully described. In addition, this work discusses the use of mathematical models in setting models in setting screening policy; ways to enhance the feasibility of screening programs; and the clinical course of screen-detected disease, separating the effects of early treatment, lead time, and length bias on outcome. The second edition has been updated throughout and considerably expanded. There are three new chapters: Cancer of the Breast; Arteriosclerotic Vascular Disease; and Cancer of the Cervix.
These give concrete demonstrations of the applications of screening methods to important disease.