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Nature Reviews Cancer 3, 297–303 (1 April 2003) | doi:10.1038/nrc1042

Challenges to cancer control by screening

Michael N. Pollak & William D. Foulkes

Population-based screening seems to be a common-sense strategy for controlling cancer, but recent reports have raised controversy concerning the benefits of common screening procedures. Intense efforts to develop and evaluate novel screening technologies are underway; however, effective use of any screening method must take into account any underlying biological considerations. What are these biological issues, and what challenges do clinicians face in screening for common cancers?