Cancer screening guideline controversies and the challenge of public health practice

Public health departments can play an important role in improving use of these screening services among those at highest risk for premature mortality. Effective population-based and health care system based services exist which promote screening and understanding of screening ( e.g., reminders, recalls, and education). Yet even with these services there are important challenges, such as how best to provide information about the harms and benefits of screening. Another is the occasional cacophony of somewhat conflicting screening recommendations, often abetted by those seeking controversy or with financial conflicts of interest. This presentation will focus on the example of breast cancer and discuss the challenge of public health departments playing a greater role in quality assurance and public education surrounding cancer screening.