healthscreening
Health screening, or screening, is the systematic use of tests, examinations, or procedures to identify individuals who appear healthy but may have an undiagnosed disease or risk factor. The aim is to detect disease at an early stage, when treatment is more effective, or to identify risk that can guide preventive actions. Screening is not diagnostic; a positive result requires confirmatory testing and appropriate follow-up care.
Screening programs can be organized at the population level (population-based or organized screening) or offered opportunistically
Key considerations in screening include the performance characteristics of tests (sensitivity, specificity), potential harms from false
Effectiveness varies by condition and program; some, like cervical cancer and colorectal cancer screening, have shown
Newborn screening uses simple tests soon after birth to identify treatable conditions before symptoms appear. The