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Erschienen in: Journal of Public Health 1/2010

01.02.2010 | Original Article

Spontaneous remissions in breast cancer underline the need of more evidence: screening should not detect more cancer but earlier cancer

verfasst von: Franz Porzsolt, Dieter Hölzel

Erschienen in: Journal of Public Health | Ausgabe 1/2010

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Abstract

Aim

Analysis of the hypothesis that 22% of breast cancer cases detected by screening mammography would disappear spontaneously.

Methods

Critical appraisal of the relevant scientific literature using established methods.

Results

The hypothesis—although it is unusual—seems to be very well supported by data from several independent research groups and justifies three lessons.

Conclusions

First, it is necessary to complete the last step of the concept of traditional evidence-based medicine (EBM), i.e., to confirm that the outcome that is predicted by scientific evidence will also be observed in daily clinical practice. Second, the focus of medical teaching should be directed to final clinical outcomes and patient benefit rather than surrogate parameters, such as completed procedures or test results. Third, the availability of data to answer unsolved questions may become a more important indicator for high-quality health-care systems than the performance of services of unknown incremental value.
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Metadaten
Titel
Spontaneous remissions in breast cancer underline the need of more evidence: screening should not detect more cancer but earlier cancer
verfasst von
Franz Porzsolt
Dieter Hölzel
Publikationsdatum
01.02.2010
Verlag
Springer-Verlag
Erschienen in
Journal of Public Health / Ausgabe 1/2010
Print ISSN: 2198-1833
Elektronische ISSN: 1613-2238
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-009-0275-4

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