Benefit and harm associated with screening for breast cancer

Article Abstract:

Women between the age of 40 and 49 should be told that they may have a false-positive mammogram or breast exam if they begin having these tests on a regular basis. This means that the mammogram or exam was suspicious, but the woman eventually was not diagnosed with breast cancer. A 1998 study found that about one-third of the women screened had a false-positive mammogram or breast exam during a 10-year period. False-positives are always a risk during screening, but physicians accept this risk to avoid missing true disease. On the other hand, false-positive results can cause anxiety in many women.

Editorial, Analysis, Ethical aspects, Medical screening, Health screening, Mammography, False positive reactions

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High on the differential

Article Abstract:

Accurate diagnosis of the causes of congestive heart failure (CHF) requires knowledge of the underlying physiology and astute analysis of each diagnostic test result. CHF causes an accumulation of fluid in the lungs from inadequate heart function. Differentiating types of CHF and considering the many potential causes makes definitive diagnosis a step-wise process. The case of a 48-year-old man with transplanted kidneys illustrates the clinical complexity of congestive heart failure in some patients.

Diagnosis, Congestive heart failure

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A pain in the back

Article Abstract:

The case of a man whose chronic back pain was caused by infection is presented. His erythrocyte sedimentation rate was persistently above 100 mm per hour, which is a sign of a potentially serious underlying disorder.

Case studies, Causes of, Backache, Back pain, Osteomyelitis

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