Sõeluuringud

Sõeluuringud are a set of medical activities designed to detect diseases or risk factors in people who do not yet show symptoms. The goal is to identify individuals at higher risk early, so that preventive measures or early treatment can reduce illness and mortality. Sõeluuringud are typically applied to defined populations and can be organized (invitation-based, population-wide programs) or opportunistic (offered during routine care).

Screening programs rely on tests that are practical, acceptable, and able to distinguish between likely and unlikely cases. A positive screening result usually leads to diagnostic confirmation and, if needed, treatment or preventive interventions. The planning and execution of sõeluuringud follow established principles, often summarized by criteria such as those proposed by Wilson and Jungner: the disease should be a significant health problem, there should be a recognizable latent or early stage, effective treatment should be available, tests should be accurate and acceptable, and the overall benefits should outweigh harms and costs.

The process typically includes public information, informed consent, screening testing, result communication, diagnostic follow-up for those with a positive result, and subsequent management or surveillance. Key considerations include test sensitivity and specificity, coverage and equity, overdiagnosis and false positives, psychological impact, and resource implications.

Common examples of sõeluuringud are screening for cancer types (for example, cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer), as well as screenings for metabolic or cardiovascular risk factors and some congenital conditions in newborns. The specific scope, eligibility, and timing of screenings vary by country and health system, reflecting local disease burden, infrastructure, and policy decisions.