Table 1 Definitions of cancer screening, prevention, and early diagnosis
Screening | Performing a test or tests for cancer detection in individuals without symptoms of the disease to achieve an early-stage diagnosis |
Prevention | Primary – reduction in one or more cancer risk behaviours in individuals without a diagnosis of cancer; therapeutic prevention in high-risk groups (for example those with genetic predisposition) Secondary – treatment and/or monitoring of pre-malignant conditions that might develop into cancer |
Early diagnosis | Interventions aimed at achieving an earlier diagnosis of cancer, regardless of whether the individual has symptoms of the disease or not |