overdiagnosis

Definition of overdiagnosis

overdiagnosis

(OH-ver-DY-ug-NOH-sis)
Finding cases of cancer with a screening test (such as a mammogram or PSA test) that will never cause any symptoms. These cancers may just stop growing or go away on their own. Some of the harms caused by overdiagnosis are anxiety and having treatments that are not needed.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms