Hacker News Reader

While you are technically correct, it appears you've missed the point: being able to detect tumors better doesn't improve lifespan if we end up aggressively treating benign ones. This isn't a theoretical problem, rather one we are seeing right now.

Look at thyroid cancer: detection and treatment rates are much higher than they used to be but the death rate has remained steady.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/06/health/study-warns-against...

View on HN

Actually, I addressed this point in my original comment:

> As for not over-treating, that is a physician led decision - just because there is an anomaly on the scan does not mean that it will be removed or even necessarily treated at all.

Perhaps I wasn't clear. I am saying that having cheaper, better scans with computer aided analysis is likely to be beneficial. I am not saying that every anomaly detected requires treatment. Treatment decisions are influenced by imaging but are not enforced by them.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com