Table 2.

Suggested principles for population-based screening

Wilson and Jungner 1968	Andermann et al. 2008
1. The condition sought should be an important health problem.	1. The screening program should respond to recognized need.
2. There should be an accepted treatment for patients with recognized disease.	2. The objectives of screening should be defined at the outset.
3. Facilities for diagnosis and treatment should be available.	3. There should be a defined target population.
4. There should be a recognizable latent or early symptomatic stage.	4. There should be scientific evidence of screening program effectiveness.
5. There should be a suitable test or examination.	5. The program should integrate education, testing, clinical services and program management. There should be quality assurance, with mechanisms to minimize potential risks of screening.
6. The test should be acceptable to the population.
7. The natural history of the condition, including development from latent to declared disease, should be adequately understood.	6. The program should ensure informed choice, confidentiality, and respect for autonomy.
8. There should be an agreed policy on whom to treat as patients.	7. The program should promote equity and access to screening for the entire target population.
9. The cost of case finding (including diagnosis and treatment of patients diagnosed) should be economically balanced in relation to possible expenditure on medical care as a whole.	8. Program evaluation should be planned from the outset.
10. Case finding should be a continuing process and not a “once and for all” project.	9. The overall benefits of screening should outweigh the harm.