Uses of Screening

P.PrudhviRoll: 95Guided by Dr.Sipra mam

Uses of Screening

Case detection

Control of disease

Research purposes

Educational opportunities

CASE DETECTION

This is usually prescriptive. Presumptive identification of

unrecognised disease. Does not arise from patients request. People are screened primarily for their

own benefit.

Contd.The responsibility for treatment is upon public health personnel. Eg:1.Iron deficiency anemia, 2.breast cancer, 3.cervical cancer, 4.hemolytic disease of the newborn.

Among all cancers, screening for colorectal cancer saves most number of lives.

Colorectal cancer screening

Hemolytic disease screening

CONTROL OF DISEASE

Prospective screening. People are examined for benefit of others. This is for controlling the spread of

disease. Usually government officials request for such screening.

Eg: Screening of immigrants for infectious diseases like tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis screening

Tuberculosis screening is done routinely in almost all developed countries.

This is usually done by Montaux skin test. Diameter of erythema and induration more

than 10mm indicates the test is positive. However, in countries like India it doesn’t

have much value because of BCG vaccination at birth.

Mantoux testing

RESEARCH PURPOSES

Screening may sometimes be performed for research purposes.

Mainly done for chronic diseases whose natural history is not fully known.

Prevalence and incidence of the disease can be inferred from the research.

Investigator should inform the participants that no follow up therapy will be available.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Sometimes screening provide

opportunities for creating public

awareness and for educating health

professionals.