What is the primary goal of cancer screening?

The primary goal of cancer screening is to allow for earlier diagnosis. Screening tests are designed to detect cancer at an early stage, often before symptoms appear. Early detection of cancer can significantly improve treatment outcomes, as many types of cancer can be more effectively treated when caught early. For instance, cancers such as breast, cervical, and colorectal often have screening programs in place that help identify potential issues before they progress to more advanced stages that are harder to treat and may require more aggressive interventions.

While prevention of all types of cancer is a desirable outcome, screening does not prevent cancer; rather, it aims to identify cancers that are already present at a stage when they can be treated more successfully. Confirming a diagnosis typically occurs after screening tests suggest the possibility of cancer, using more definitive diagnostics such as biopsies and imaging studies. Treatment of existing cancers can be more effective when diagnosed early, but that is a subsequent step; screening's primary purpose is the early detection of cancer itself. Thus, identifying cancer at an earlier stage is the most pivotal aim of screening initiatives.