Frederic W. Grannis, Jr. is a thoracic surgeon.

The conflict of interest behind a cancer screening test

Conditions and Diseases
July 30, 2026

The New York Times reported on June 5, 2026, that new research suggests molecular screening with a 14-protein panel can identify patients who will develop lung cancer in intervening years, allowing prescription of an interleukin-1 beta inhibitor drug (Ilaris) that may be capable of preventing lung cancer. This potentially important development, based upon a report in the journal Cell on the same date, is worthy of publication, but it fails …

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The conflict of interest behind a cancer screening test

Opportunistic screening finds coronary artery disease

Conditions and Diseases
May 16, 2026

In New Orleans, shoppers often request “lagniappe,” pronounced lan-yap, to express their desire for something extra, the baker’s dozen, a 13th donut. Added benefit was a major topic of interest for the 500 participants in the combined International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (IELCAP), International Early Lung Cancer and Respiratory Tract (IELCART), and AGILE 3 conferences held March 19 to 21, 2026, in Gdansk, Poland. Although this topic ranged freely …

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Opportunistic screening finds coronary artery disease

The myth of cancer overdiagnosis: Why screening saves lives

Conditions and Diseases
March 1, 2026

“Overdiagnosis is a myth that has been created by a handful of individuals who provide no care for women with breast cancer.”

This quote by Dr. Daniel Kopans encapsulates a long-standing and intense debate in the medical community regarding cancer screening.

In the Dec. 9, 2025, issue of the New York Times, Gina Kolata quoted H. Gilbert Welch, MD, on his perspective that “treatments need to be balanced with the consequences …

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The myth of cancer overdiagnosis: Why screening saves lives