Researchers conducted a survey of physicians practicing inpatient and outpatient medicine in 2010 and 2011 to study their understanding of cancer screening statistics. The survey provided two hypothetical screening tests with one associated with improved five-year survival and increased early detection and the other with decreased cancer mortality and increased incidence.
Sixty-nine percent of physicians recommended the screening test when the outcome was increased five-year survival, while only 23 percent recommended the test when the outcome was reduced cancer mortality. Furthermore, many physicians did not distinguish between irrelevant screening evidence (increased five-year survival) and relevant evidence (reduced cancer mortality).
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