[stewbrew]

You have to distinguish between screening detected cancer and symptomatic cancer. 5yr srvl rates say little in the former case but they are relevant for the latter. You'd really prefer having skin cancer today than ten years ago.

Your short exchange of arguments is a good example of what goes wrong in the public discussion.

[nonbel]

I don't understand what you mean by "detected cancer" and "symptomatic cancer". Eg if a cancer is already detected then by definition it is impossible to screen for it.

[mbreese]

(Screening detected) Found during a routine/annual colonoscopy/mammogram/etc...

vs

(Symptomatic detected) Hey, what is this lump here? Why am I so tired? etc...

[nonbel]

I see, it should have been written "screening-detected" to be as clear as possible.

Yes, the latter is more likely to be comparable over time but it will still have issues with changes in how likely someone is to report it to their doctor, etc.