Skriinimine

Skriinimine is the systematic process of evaluating individuals or populations to identify those at higher risk of a disease or to detect conditions or hazards at an early stage, typically before symptoms are present. It is distinct from diagnostic testing, which confirms a suspected disease in symptomatic individuals. Screening programs aim to reduce morbidity or mortality by enabling earlier intervention, but they rely on tests with adequate sensitivity and specificity and on effective follow-up care.

Key elements include the target population, an acceptable test, clear thresholds for positive results, pathways to diagnosis and treatment, and ongoing surveillance of outcomes. Decisions about screening programs are guided by established criteria, including disease burden, evidence of benefit, test accuracy, acceptability, resource implications, and ethical considerations such as informed consent and equity.

In health care, common examples are mammography for breast cancer, cervical cytology or HPV testing, colorectal cancer screening with fecal tests or colonoscopy, and newborn screening for metabolic or genetic conditions. Screening also occurs outside medicine, such as border or occupational screening for infectious diseases, aviation security screening, or data filtering to identify relevant information.

Limitations and debates surround screening: false positives and negatives, overdiagnosis, anxiety, exposure to unnecessary procedures, and unequal access to follow-up care. When well designed and implemented within a robust health system, skriinimine can contribute to improved population health; otherwise, it risks causing harm or wasting resources.