Turtles, Birds and Bears

Dermatologists in the U.S. spend a fair bit of time screening patients for skin cancers. In spite of this, there is little evidence that this screening decreases the mortality from skin cancer (mainly melanoma).

"Cancers follow three basic patterns: turtles, birds and bears.
1. Turtles move so slowly that you can still capture them while they’re moving slowly along;
2. The birds fly away so quickly that you can’t catch them in time;
3. The bears can escape if you ignore them, but if you catch them in time, you can capture them."

This simple but brilliant formula comes from a superb article by Christie Aschwanden on sunscreens and skin cancer that appeared in the July 10, NY Times.

Doctors Balk at Cancer Ad, Citing Lack of Evidence See Permalink.

This is a reasoned piece which quotes the best evidence-based information we have. Please read the article and draw your own conclusions.