States, cancer exacts a heavy toll. For example, over a million new cases are diagnosed annually (6:11). Furthermore, it is estimated that nearly half of the people who are diagnosed will eventually succumb to their disease.
Considerable research has been conducted on the problems of cancer modeling and screening (7::21). Typically, these investigations examine the statistical aspects of screening. The data thus obtained are then used to estimate the natural history of a particular disease. From this knowledge, it can be determined whether or not the specific screening program had any beneficial effect.
According to the American Cancer Society, cancer mortality could be reduced by as much as a third if all physicians regularly used early detection measures. One problem though, has been the lack of a clear, consistent policy regarding this issue. However, in 1991, after two years of discussions, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the American Cancer Society, and eleven national medical organizations formulated the "NCI Guidelines" for cancer detection. This mandate is designed to promote "greater uniformity and physician compliance in detection practices." Moreover, its authors also imbued the document with a certain degree of inherent flexibility. It is actually referred to as a set of "working guidelines." Thus, the rules may be subject to future changes in response to new medical and scientific discoveries (6:11).
Basically, the NCI Guidelines delineate different specific screening procedures for the various types of cancer. The procedures for skin cancer, for example, encourage all individuals to thoroughly examine their skin on a regular basis (6:11). In addition, primary
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