Science

Judi Lynn

(160,611 posts) Sun Jan 26, 2020, 10:50 PM Jan 2020

Study claims some cancers 'better left undiscovered'

Liam Mannix
13:23, Jan 27 2020

A controversial new study claims about one in every five cancers diagnosed in Australia would have been better left undiscovered.

The study, published in the Medical Journal of Australia on Monday, argues more than half of melanomas, 22 per cent of breast cancers and 42 per cent of prostate cancers diagnosed in Australia would never have caused problems.

The government funds a breast-cancer screening program and many people diligently ask their GP for skin and prostate cancer checks.

But all that extra checking is turning up cancers that would never have gone on to harm the patient, the study says.

More:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/119067304/study-claims-some-cancers-better-left-undiscovered

6 replies

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Study claims some cancers 'better left undiscovered' (Original Post) Judi Lynn Jan 2020 OP

I know that's often true with prostate cancer, but until they can determine Hoyt Jan 2020 #1

I think they may be right - two smoking friends of mine have black spots in their lungs ... marble falls Jan 2020 #3

Glad you are a survivor. Very encouraging what they can do nowadays. Hoyt Jan 2020 #4

Absolutely fucking amazing. At the very least they're giving me time to die of something else ... marble falls Jan 2020 #5

Good way to end the evening. I get it completely. Hoyt Jan 2020 #6

Sounds good Timewas Jan 2020 #2

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)

1. I know that's often true with prostate cancer, but until they can determine

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Sun Jan 26, 2020, 11:17 PM

Jan 2020

which cancer incidents I’ll outlive without issue, I’d rather know and discuss options.

Interesting study.

marble falls

(57,188 posts)

3. I think they may be right - two smoking friends of mine have black spots in their lungs ...

Reply to Hoyt (Reply #1)

Mon Jan 27, 2020, 12:39 AM

Jan 2020

discovered after their bodies had encapsulated cancers.

I agree with you, though: how do they know which one's to treat and which ones to leave alone.

I believe my prostate cancer wasn't going to cause me any problems, but the bladder cancer made it all academic when it really had to go. The prostate goes when they remove a bladder.