The testing of a symptomless population in order to detect cases of a disease at an early stage.
The basic principles of screening are:
- The condition is common and disabling, the natural history is known, and there is a recognizable latent or pre-symptomatic phase.
- The screening test is reliable, valid and repeatable, is acceptable and easy to perform, is sensitive and specific and low cost.
- The treatment should be effective and available, and there is an agreed policy on who should be treated.
Bandolier. EBM glossary. Internet. Accessed on July 3, 2009.