In which of the following disease, the overall survival is increased by screening procedure-
**Core Concept**
The question requires knowledge of the impact of screening procedures on the overall survival of patients with various diseases. Screening is a preventive measure used to detect disease at an early stage, often before symptoms appear. The effectiveness of screening depends on the disease, its natural history, and the sensitivity and specificity of the screening test.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is related to a disease where early detection through screening has been proven to improve patient outcomes. For example, breast cancer screening with mammography has been shown to reduce mortality rates in women with breast cancer. This is because screening allows for the detection of tumors at an early stage, when they are smaller and more treatable.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because the disease in question does not have a proven benefit from screening. For instance, many screening tests for prostate cancer (e.g., PSA) have been shown to have limited impact on mortality rates due to overdiagnosis and overtreatment.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because the disease in question has a poor prognosis despite early detection. For example, pancreatic cancer has a high mortality rate even when detected early, due to its aggressive nature and limited treatment options.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because the disease in question has a long asymptomatic period, making screening less effective. For instance, many cases of hypertension go undiagnosed until they cause symptoms, making screening for hypertension less effective in improving overall survival.
**Option D:** This option is incorrect because the disease in question has a high false-positive rate, leading to unnecessary interventions and decreased quality of life. For example, thyroid cancer screening has been criticized for its high false-positive rate, leading to unnecessary surgeries and decreased quality of life.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key point to remember is that screening should only be performed for diseases with a proven benefit from early detection. The benefits of screening must be weighed against the potential harms, including false positives, unnecessary interventions, and decreased quality of life.
**Correct Answer:** C.