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Using data from large, population-wide surveys, Emory University and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researchers looked at differences in cancer screening rates between the United States and Western European countries. They found that breast and colon cancer screening rates are more than 40 percent higher in the United States. Study findings also showed that U.S. physicians offered non-recommended screenings at a much higher rate, including the prostate specific-antigen (PSA) test for prostate cancer. In addition, screenings among older U.S. patients surpassed European screening rates, although the benefits associated with early detection are lower in older patients, study authors note. Cancer screening programs in Europe exclude older patients, reflecting the limited benefits in this age group. Researchers say while costs are higher in the U.S. for some cancer and general health screenings, there are benefits to this approach. “The results show that not all of the excess spending on health care in the United States is wasteful,” says David H. Howard, PhD, lead study author and associate professor of health policy and management at Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health. “Some U.S. patients receive beneficial services that they may not have otherwise received in Europe. “At the same time, there may be opportunities to reduce U.S. health care spending without substantially affecting quality or health by better targeting screening services to patients most likely to benefit,” says Howard. The findings of this study, “Cancer screening and age in the United States and Europe,” are published in the November/December 2009 issue of Health Affairs and published online at: http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/reprint/28/6/1838. In addition to Howard, researchers include: Lisa C. Richardson of the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, CDC; and Kenneth E. Thorpe, PhD, Robert W. Woodruff professor and chair, health policy and management, Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health. Learn more about Emory’s health sciences: http://emoryhealthblog.com - @emoryhealthsci (Twitter) - http://emoryhealthsciences.org Subscribe to our FREE Ezine and be eligible for Health News, discounted products/services and coupons related to your Health. We publish 24/7. HealthNewsDigest.com We videotape Press Conferences, produce SMT's, VNR's, B-rolls, PSA's, - all with distribution: HealthyTelevisionProductions Top of Page 
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