The Value of Screening Tests
July 10th, 2018 by Miami Back & Neck Specialists
Screening tests in medicine are designed with the disease prevalence in mind; that means that for a condition that is not dangerous and occurs rarely, screening tests really would not make sense. However, for conditions that ARE preventable early, if caught early, and for conditions that are more common, sometimes it is very reasonable to have a screening test such as mammography for breast cancer. Some screening tests are very expensive and that has to be kept in mind because screening tests are applicable to the entire population, therefore costs matters in the approach to screen. And that is exactly why insurance companies will not authorize certain screening tests. It simply is not cost effective. But in the game of life, I would want every additional chance that I could find.
Cancer markers are not that expensive. There are no general guidelines to screen for pancreatic cancer, brain cancer, or testicular cancer (with exception of manual exam). Some cancer markers have a poor prognostic value because of a high rate of false positives. Some screening tests do not provide full confidence because of a significant rate of false negatives. But for me, additional $150 per year, is a worthwhile expense if I can catch one of these deadly cancers way in advance. So whether it is covered by insurance or not, I ask my primary care doctor to order some cancer markers and I offer to pay him cash if insurance refuses to pay for it and I would advise you to do the same.
Georgiy Brusovanik, M.D.
GB/st
![Discussing the procedure on the Cauda Euina Cauda equina syndrome most commonly results from a massive disc herniation in the lumbar region.[4] A disc herniation occurs when one of the soft flexible discs that functions as an elastic shock absorber between the bones of the spinal column displaces from its normal position.](https://spinedoctormiami.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Cauda-Equina-spine-doctor-miami.jpg "Minimally Invasive Decompression for Cauda Equina Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeon Miami")
