Should you screen--or not? The latest recommendations

Abstract

Last year, and in the early part of this year, the Task Force issued a number of recommendations on topics ranging from hypertension screening to screening for illicit drug use. While some of these recommendations were reaffirmations of past recommendations, others included some changes. The Task Force has: 1) dropped the age for routine screening for Chlamydia in sexually active women from 25 years and younger to 24 and younger; 2) added a recommendation against the use of aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to prevent colorectal cancer (CRC); 3) changed its recommendation on screening for carotid artery stenosis. In 1996, the Task Force noted that the evidence was insufficient to make a recommendation; in 2007 it recommended against such routine screening; 4) added recommendations on counseling patients about drinking and driving, as well as on screening for illicit drug use. In both cases, the Task Force says the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against.