Which statement best describes screening versus diagnosis?

• A. Screening identifies disease in asymptomatic individuals; diagnosis confirms disease.
• B. Screening is the same as diagnosis.
• C. Diagnosis identifies disease in asymptomatic individuals; screening confirms disease.
• D. Screening cures disease.

Answer: (B)

Screening and diagnosis are distinct steps in how we detect and confirm disease. Screening is used with people who do not have symptoms to identify those who might have a condition because they show potential signs on a test or risk factors. The goal is to flag individuals for further evaluation, not to provide a final verdict. Because screening tests aim to catch as many true cases as possible, they prioritize sensitivity, which can mean some false positives and the need for follow-up testing.

Diagnosis, on the other hand, is the process of confirming whether a person actually has the disease, usually after a positive screening result or when symptoms are present. Diagnostic tests and clinical evaluation provide a more definitive determination, guiding treatment decisions.

For example, a routine mammogram screens for breast abnormalities in women without symptoms; if something looks suspicious, a diagnostic workup (additional imaging, biopsy, etc.) is performed to confirm whether cancer is present.

The wording that screening identifies disease in asymptomatic individuals and diagnosis confirms disease best captures this distinction. The other choices either equate screening with diagnosis or suggest screening cures disease, which isn’t correct.