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Table 3 Categories of screening tests

From: Screening is not always healthy: an ethical analysis of health screening packages in Singapore

Category^

Example

Category 1—suitable for population level screening

There is good evidence that test is effective and cost efficient for population screening. A caveat is that the individual must fit the age and sex profile of the target population for the test to be considered appropriate

Fasting lipids in individuals aged 40 years and above to screen for hyperlipidaemia

Category 2—suitable for individual level action

Test may be useful for high-risk populations or its cost effectiveness has not been evaluated or is unfavourable

Alpha-fetoprotein in hepatitis B carriers to screen for liver cancer

Category 3—not recommended

There is insufficient evidence or the net harms outweigh benefits for use as screening test

Serum uric acid to screen for gout

  1. ^Referenced from the 2019 Screening Test Review Committee report