The rise of surveillance medicine

Screening:
Advantages and
disadvantages

 In this presentation, an analysis will be done
over the advantages and disadvantages of
screening for achieving a sound health.
 The pros and cons of screening will be
judged on the bases of different theories of
health and medicines including Surveillance
theory of medicines by Armstrong and
Eborall.
Introduction

 The trend in UK related to impact of
screening will also be analysed.
 Focus will be given on achieving a sound
public health for the country with the help
of NHS programs.

 Screening refers to a method to identify the
symptoms of breast cancer with the help of
mammography.
Definition of screening

 This theory remapped the fundamental space
of illness. This focuses on the psychological
and social factors related to the person which
leads towards the construction of illness
(Armstrong, 1995).
 It was said by Armstrong that in 21st century,
positive social environment is the key factor of
sound health because he felt that most of the
diseases are constructed due to the pressure of
society (Armstrong, 1995).
Theory of surveillance medicine
by Armstrong

 Armstrong believes that many social factors
like low economic condition, looks, obesity,
complexion, neglecting by parents and
family members, lack of emotional support
and workplace pressure leads towards the
mental problems in a person and finally
results in harmful diseases (Armstrong,
1995).
Theory of surveillance medicine
by Armstrong

 This theory stated that screening is a best
method to avoid treatments of crucial diseases.
 Screening is the best strategy to achieve sound
public health.
 Authors believe that because of many risk
factors related to social life of public, screening
and other preventive methods should be
beneficial in achieving a satisfactory public
health (Eborall, 2012).
Theory of Surveillance by
Armstrong and Eborall

This theory focus on the physical and
emotional changes of public after screening
test.
The author stated that the health of a person
is not only related to the absence of a
disease. It is related to the regular routine
work and a power to resist the disease
(Gillespie, 2015).
Theory of surveillance medicine
by Chris Gillespie

 NHS is offering Breast Screening Program to
the females of UK above the age of 50 years
to save them from the risk of breast cancer
(NHS, 2019).
Breast screening Program
offered by NHS

 According to the statistics of organisation of
cancer research UK, around 55,213 new
cases of breast cancer detected in 2014-
2016. Among them 11,399 women died.
Only 23% of cases were preventable.
Trend of breast cancer in
UK

25 to 49 50 to 64 65 to 69 70 to 79 80 plus
0.0
50.0
100.0
150.0
200.0
250.0
2013-2015
2014-2016
2015-2017
Mortality rate with respect to
age factor for UK

 In 2016-2017, 2.20 million women, who are aged
45 years or above screened within the program
of NHS. In which 18,402 detected the breast
cancer(8.4 cases per 1000 women) (NHS, 2018).
 Whereas in 2015-2016, 2.16 million women
screened within the program with same age
group (NHS, 2018)..
 An increase of 1.8% reported in screening by
NHS program in last one year.
Data analysis of NHS program of
screening 2016-2017:

Data analysis of NHS
program
0
500,000
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
No. of women
screened
women with cancer
detection
Trend of breast cancer in UK:
Analysis of data of 2016-2017

 The above analysis represent that the
percentage of detection of cancer is very
less than the number of women screened in
the program of NHS.
 The cancer detection percentage in only
0.84% which is not a significant number
(NHS, 2018).
Data analysis of NHS programs

 The above analysis represent that even
after a lot of screening programs offered by
NHS and Government of UK, the incidences
of breast cancer can not be minimised (BBC,
2018).
 The mortality rate because of breast cancer
can not be reduced up to a significant
percentage (Donella Puliti, 2012).
Challenges for NHS program of
screening

 Breast cancer is incurable at later stages
that is why identification of disease at an
early stage could save the life of patient.
 Screening helps the patients to ensuring
about a disease free and sound health.
Advantages of screening

 Sometimes any lumps in the breast
identifies as a symptoms of cancer whereas
every lumps does not leads towards cancer.
 Many women misdiagnosed and over
treated because of screening(Patsy
Whelehan, 2013).
Disadvantages of
screening

 Screening test expose the body with
harmful UV-rays while having screening.
 It creates stress and threat of having breast
cancer in most of the cases.
Disadvantages of
screening

 Screening does not help the patient to save
from death, if the cancer is diagnosed at
later stage by screening test.
 Regular screening leads towards depression
and unnecessary chaos in the public (UK,
2019).
Disadvantages of
screening

Screening is useful in identifying the early
symptoms of breast cancer but after
analysing its consequences, it can be said
that government and public should focus on
adopting appropriate strategies in order to
ensure about the safe public health.
Conclusion

 Armstrong, D., 1995. The rise of surveillance medicine. SOCIOLOGY OF
HEALTH & ILLNESS, 17(3), pp. 393-404.
 BBC, 2018. Breast cancer screening programme 'does more harm than
good'. [Online]
Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-44016206
[Accessed 23 December 2019].
 Donella Puliti, S. W. D. G. M. H. D. K. L. Z., 2012. Overdiagnosis in
Mammographic Screening for Breast Cancer in Europe: A Literature
Review. Sage Journals: Journals Of Medical Screening, 19(1), pp. 42-56.
 NHS, 2019. Benefits and risks: Breast Cancer Screening. [Online]
Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-screening/why-
its-offered/
[Accessed 23 December 2019].
 NHS, 2019. Bowel cancer screening. [Online]
Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer-screening/
[Accessed 23 December 2019].
References

 NHS, 2019. Protecting and improving the nation's health :NHS Cervical
Screening. [Online]
Available at:
https://www.bsccp.org.uk/assets/file/uploads/resources/NHSCSP_20_Colposcop
y_and_Programme_Management_(3rd_Edition)_(2).pdf
[Accessed 23 December 2019].
 Paci, E., 2012. Summary of the Evidence of Breast Cancer Service Screening
Outcomes in Europe and First Estimate of the Benefit and Harm Balance
Sheet. Sage Journals: Journals on medical screening, 19(1), pp. 5-13.
 Patsy Whelehan, A. E. M. W. S. M. G., 2013. The effect of mammography pain
on repeat participation in breast cancer screening: A systematic review. The
Breast, 22(4), pp. 389-394.
 S M Moss, R. E. D. C. J. C., 1994. Survival of Patients with Breast Cancer
Diagnosed in the United Kingdom Trial of Early Detection of Breast Cancer.
Sage Journals: Journal on medical sreening, 1(3), pp. 193-198.
 UK, C. r., 2019. Together we will beat cancer. [Online]
Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer
[Accessed 23 December 2019].
References