The literature searches for this project were conducted prospectively on Medline for literature published since 1/1/95. A search was performed using the major key words adults, humans, English, plus the terms described below for each topic. (The specific key words associated with a term are detailed in parentheses following the first time a term is used.) The searches were conducted in components each keyed to a specific causal link in a formal problem structure. The searches were supplemented with very recent clinical trials known to expert members of the panel. Negative trials were specifically sought. The searches were single cycle.
Breast cancer screening. The additional search terms (with specific key words in parentheses) were: breast cancer (breast neoplasms, mammary neoplasms, experimental mammary neoplasms, breast AND cancer), preventive services (preventive health services, diagnostic services, mass screening, genetic screening, mass chest x-ray, multiphasic screening, neonatal screening, mobile health units, early intervention/education, health education, health fairs, patient education, prevention and control), diagnosis (sensitivity and specificity, predictive value of test, false negative reactions, false positive reactions, likelihood functions), guidelines (clinical protocols, physician’s practice patterns, algorithms, outcome and process assessment [health care], consensus development conferences, NIH consensus development conferences, guideline, practice guidelines), research studies (clinical trials, clinical trials – phase IV, randomized clinical trials, controlled clinical trials, multicenter studies, cohort studies).
Cervical cancer screening. The additional search terms were: cervical cancer (cervical neoplasms, cervical intraepithelial neoplasms, cervix dysplasia), preventive services, diagnosis, guidelines, research studies.
Colon cancer screening. The additional search terms (with specific key words in parentheses) were: gastrointestinal cancer (gastrointestinal neoplasms, intestinal neoplasms, stomach neoplasms), preventive services, diagnosis, guidelines, research studies.
Prostate cancer screening. The additional search terms were: prostate cancer (prostatic neoplasms), preventive services, diagnosis, guidelines, research studies.