"This is likely to reduce the risk of over-diagnosis while still enabling early cancer detection among those most likely to gain from early diagnosis, " they say.

BBC: Prostate cancer: Case to test men in their 40s

The author, Marion Kerr, said better diagnosis and early treatment - particularly from GPs - could make a big difference.

BBC: Kidney care 'needs to improve'

The self-knowledge that relieves Eli of my frenzied anxiety and self-doubt comes from his early diagnosis.

WSJ: The Journeying Dyslexic's Lament

One year after diagnosis, survival for women with early-stage breast cancer was close to 100% in all six countries.

BBC: A mammography of a woman's breast

Though experts encourage diagnosing children as early as possible, with some saying that 1-year-olds can be identified as being at high risk for autism-related conditions, they caution that early diagnosis is challenging and some children may be mislabeled.

WSJ: Who Can Outgrow or Recover From Autism

The evidence they have produced suggests programmes targeting the diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C in high-risk groups as early as possible would prevent many new infections and associated health care costs many years down the line.

BBC: Spread of hepatitis C pinpointed