It is generally acknowledged that the best management for most cancers is early detection and definitive treatment. Several malignancies, including breast cancer, colon cancer, and cutaneous melanoma, have been associated with improved prognosis in recent years. The main reason for this improved prognosis appears to be early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Concerning breast cancer, it is generally believed that patient mortality is decreased if the malignancy is diagnosed earlier and treated promptly.1 Regarding colon cancer, colonoscopy with early removal of precancerous polyps is associated with improved prognosis.2 The prognosis for cutaneous melanoma has improved in the last 50 years, also because of early detection and removal of precancerous lesions.3