Journalist: More and more people are being diagnosed with thyroid

Question

﻿Journalist: More and more people are being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Many doctors have long believed that this is solely due to unnecessary testing that finds small tumors that do not lead to complications. However, while greater awareness of this cancer, especially its tendency to strike younger women, has indeed prompted more-frequent testing, overtesting is not really the culprit, because

Which of the following most logically completes the passage?

A. exposure to certain chemicals appears to be associated with thyroid cancer 
B. patients do not usually have symptoms unless the cancer is at an advanced stage 
C. the accuracy of diagnostic tests for thyroid cancer has not increased significantly 
D. the survival rate for thyroid cancer is higher than it is for most other cancers 
E. thyroid tumors of all sizes are increasing significantly in number

MartyMurray · Accepted Answer

Journalist: More and more people are being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Many doctors have long believed that this is solely due to unnecessary testing that finds small tumors that do not lead to complications. However, while greater awareness of this cancer, especially its tendency to strike younger women, has indeed prompted more-frequent testing, overtesting is not really the culprit, because

Which of the following most logically completes the passage?

Which of the following most logically completes the passage?

We see that the passage ends with "overtesting is not really the culprit, because __________."

So, the correct answer will support the conclusion that "overtesting is not really the culprit." In other words, the correct answer will answer the question "Why is overtesting not really the culprit?"

To find the correct answer, we need to understand in what overtesting is not the culprit. Reviewing the passage, we see that the phenomenon discussed is that "More and more people are being diagnosed with thyroid cancer," which many doctors believe to be "due to unnecessary testing that finds small tumors that do not lead to complications."

So, we need to find the choice that explains why overtesting is not the culprit in, i.e., the cause of, the increase in the number of people being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

A. exposure to certain chemicals appears to be associated with thyroid cancer

We might get the impression that this choice provides an alternative explanation for the increase in the number of people being diagnosed with thyroid cancer and thus explains why overtesting is not the cause of that increase.

Notice, however, that this choice states a fact that has been true in both the past and the present. In other words, it's not new that exposure to certain chemicals appears to be associated with thyroid cancer.

Something that has been true in both the past and the present would not explain the increase in the number of people being diagnosed with thyroid cancer that is occurring in the present. In other words, something that has remained the same would not explain a change.

Eliminate.

B. patients do not usually have symptoms unless the cancer is at an advanced stage

The fact that patients usually do not have symptoms unless the cancer is at an advanced stage would not explain the increase in diagnoses. After all, the fact that people do NOT have symptoms would not cause them to be diagnosed with the illness.

Eliminate.

C. the accuracy of diagnostic tests for thyroid cancer has not increased significantly

The fact that the accuracy of the tests has not increased eliminates an alternative cause for the increase in the number of people being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. After all, if the accuracy of the tests had increased, then that increase in accuracy, rather than overtesting, could explain the increase in the number of diagnoses.

So, rather than explain why overtesting is not the cause, this choice provides an additional reason to believe that overtesting IS the cause.

Thus, this choice does the opposite of what we need.

Eliminate.
 
 D. the survival rate for thyroid cancer is higher than it is for most other cancers

The survival rate of thyroid cancer would not affect the rate of diagnosis of thyroid cancer. So, this choice has no effect on the validity of the statement "overtesting is not really the culprit (in the increase in the number of diagnoses of thyroid cancer)."

Eliminate.

E. thyroid tumors of all sizes are increasing significantly in number

This choice provides an alternative cause of the increase in the number of people being diagnosed with thyroid cancer: the number of thyroid tumors is increasing. After all, the fact that the number of tumors is increasing would certainly explain the increase in the number of people being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

By providing an alternative cause, this choice indicates why overtesting is not really the cause of the increase in the number of people being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

Keep.

The correct answer is (E).

gmatophobia · Answer

Conclusion of the argument  : Overtesting (for thyroid cancer) is not really the culprit

The story  : 
  More and more people are being diagnosed with thyroid cancer  
 Doctor's belief → This is solely due to unnecessary testing that finds small tumors 
  Journalist argument → Agrees that greater awareness has indeed prompted more-frequent testing, however, concludes that overtesting is not really the culprit (of the increase in numbers of cases of thyroid cancer)

We have to strengthen the conclusion, i.e. find a reason which helps conclude that the increase is not due to over-testing.

Answer  :

A. exposure to certain chemicals appears to be associated with thyroid cancer

The cause of thyroid cancer is not related to the conclusion. The author concludes that the increase in the number of cases is not due to over-testing. The information presented in this option doesn't help strengthen the conclusion. Hence, we can eliminate A.

B. patients do not usually have symptoms unless the cancer is at an advanced stage

While this option may give us reasons to believe that why people were not diagnosed with thyroid cancer earlier, probably because they didn't get tested until the cancer was in its early stage, the option doesn't support the conclusion of the journalist. If at all it slightly weakens the conclusion because the information makes us believe that because of overtesting cancer is detected early. Hence, we can eliminate this option.

C. the accuracy of diagnostic tests for thyroid cancer has not increased significantly

This information weakens the conclusion. If the accuracy has not increased, probably some other cause is leading to an increase in numbers. Maybe over-testing ?
Hence, we can eliminate this option.

D. the survival rate for thyroid cancer is higher than it is for most other cancers

Not relevant to the conclusion. We can eliminate this option.

E. thyroid tumors of all sizes are increasing  significantly  in number

The only option left! Yes, this option provides us information that tells us thyroid tumors of all sizes are increasing significantly in number, hence the increase is not due to over-testing and finding small tumors that do not lead to complications but due to a 'significant' increase in the numbers of tumors of other sizes as well. The information strengthens the journalist's conclusion that overtesting is not really the culprit for the increase in the number of diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

Option E

Paras96 · Answer

The journalist's argument aims to counter the belief that the increase in thyroid cancer diagnoses is solely due to unnecessary testing. The argument implies that there's another reason for the increase. To complete the passage, we need to provide a reason that contradicts the notion of overtesting being the main cause. Let's analyze the options:

A. Exposure to certain chemicals appears to be associated with thyroid cancer.
 - This option introduces a new factor, chemicals, that could contribute to the increase in thyroid cancer. It provides an alternative explanation that undermines the idea that overtesting is the only cause.

B. Patients do not usually have symptoms unless the cancer is at an advanced stage.
 - This option doesn't directly address the issue of overtesting being the cause of the increase in diagnoses. It introduces a fact about symptom presentation.

C. The accuracy of diagnostic tests for thyroid cancer has not increased significantly.
 - This option reinforces the idea that testing isn't the primary factor, but it doesn't provide an alternative cause for the increase in diagnoses.

D. The survival rate for thyroid cancer is higher than it is for most other cancers.
 - This option provides information about survival rates but does not address the cause of the increase in diagnoses.

E. Thyroid tumors of all sizes are increasing significantly in number. 
 - This option directly supports the argument by stating that thyroid tumors of all sizes are increasing. This suggests that it's not just small tumors from over testing but tumors of all sizes that are becoming more common.

The option that most logically completes the passage and supports the argument's point is (E). It provides an alternative reason for the increase in thyroid cancer diagnoses, which is not solely due to unnecessary testing finding small tumors.

Kmohan1 · Answer

Conclusion of the passage is that frequent testing is not the culprit of more and more people being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
We need to find what is causing more and more people being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

A. exposure to certain chemicals appears to be associated with thyroid cancer.
This answer choice provides an alternate to frequent testing, however this is not a new cause and hence cannot be associated with the rise in people being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Eliminate

B: patients do not usually have symptoms unless the cancer is at an advanced stage.
This answer choice does not explain why more people are being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Eliminate

C:the accuracy of diagnostic tests for thyroid cancer has not increased significantly.
This answer choice does not explain why more people are being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Eliminate

D: the survival rate for thyroid cancer is higher than it is for most other cancers.
this answer choice does not explain why more people are being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Eliminate

E: thyroid tumors of all sizes are increasing significantly in number
This provides the reason why more people are being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Since thyroid tumors of all sizes are increasing significantly so more people are being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Correct

KarishmaB · Answer

The problem: More and more people are being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
The supposed culprit:  overtesting (these cases existed before too but never gave any problem so they were not diagnosed but now they are diagnosed because of increased testing and hence the number of diagnosed cases has increased)
 
Author's opinion: overtesting is not really the culprit,

The sentence ends with "because" which means we are looking to support that "overtesting is not really the culprit." 
We need to find something that tells us that increase in number of cases of thryroid cancer is not due to increase in testing, that the number has actually risen or something like that.

A. exposure to certain chemicals appears to be associated with thyroid cancer

Are people getting more exposed to these chemicals - not given. Hence cannot say if actually the cases are increasing.

B. patients do not usually have symptoms unless the cancer is at an advanced stage

Irrelevant when the symptoms occur. Point is "does more testing explain increase in number of cases?"

C. the accuracy of diagnostic tests for thyroid cancer has not increased significantly

Talks about what has not changed. Doesn't explain why more tests are not responsible for more diagnosis.

D. the survival rate for thyroid cancer is higher than it is for most other cancers

Irrelevant

E. thyroid tumors of all sizes are increasing significantly in number

This makes sense. It tells us that actually tumors of all sizes are increasing in number. So its not just that the additional tests are identifying small tumors which were ignored earlier. 
e.g. Say previously 100 people used to come with symptoms and hence tested and revealed large tumors. At that time, no small tumors were detected since they were ignored. So 100 cases were diagnosed.
Now say 1000 tests are conducted before symptoms and 200 cases are detected. If 100 of these are large and 100 small, then overtesting seems to be a problem. But what if 150 of these are large? Then is overtesting the problem? No. The cases seem to be on the rise in reality.

Answer (E)

Gemmie · Answer

A.  exposure to certain chemicals appears to be associated with thyroid cancer 
This introduces a potential environmental factor that could contribute to the thyroid cancer but does not explain for the increase in diagnoses.

B.  patients do not usually have symptoms unless the cancer is at an advanced stage 
While this statement provides information about symptoms related to thyroid cancer, it does not directly address the cause of the increase in diagnoses.

C.  the accuracy of diagnostic tests for thyroid cancer has not increased significantly 
This suggests that improvements in diagnostic accuracy are not driving the increase in diagnoses, which could support the argument against overtesting.

D.  the survival rate for thyroid cancer is higher than it is for most other cancers 
This statement provides information about survival rates but does not address the cause of the increase in diagnoses.

E.    thyroid tumors of all sizes are increasing significantly in number  
This supports the argument that the increase in diagnoses is due to a genuine rise in thyroid tumors, not just overtesting finding small tumors that do not lead to complications.

Therefore, E is the most appropriate choice to complete the passage logically.

himanshi1172 · Answer

Hi Karishma,

When I considered option C,

I assessed that if accuracy has not increased, it could also be an actual increase in the number of cases that could've lead to more diagnosis - which also weakens over-testing as the reason and picked the choice.

Can we say that this answer choice can be taken in both directions - strengthen and weaken - and use that as a reason for elminating?

I inferred that if the argument stated something along the lines such as - an increase in the proportion of cancer diagnosis, for every 100 cases - it would have sufficed as a weakener

Would appreciate your thoughts on this!

skm123 · Answer

Diagnoses of thyroid cancer are increasing.
Many doctors think it’s due to unnecessary testing that detects harmless small tumors.
But the journalist says overtesting is not the real reason, and then we’re asked to complete the argument.

A. Exposure to certain chemicals appears to be associated with thyroid cancer.
This introduces an alternative cause (chemical exposure), but it doesn’t directly refute the overtesting explanation. It’s suggestive, but not conclusive or focused enough.

B. Patients do not usually have symptoms unless the cancer is at an advanced stage.
This could support the idea that testing is helpful—but it doesn’t rule out overtesting as the main driver of increased diagnoses.

C. The accuracy of diagnostic tests for thyroid cancer has not increased significantly.
This implies that we’re not just detecting more due to better tools, but it doesn’t rule out the possibility that we’re simply testing more often, which is the real concern with overtesting.

D. The survival rate for thyroid cancer is higher than it is for most other cancers.
This is about outcomes, not causes. It does not address why more cases are being diagnosed.

E. Thyroid tumors of all sizes are increasing significantly in number.
If tumors of all sizes—not just tiny, harmless ones—are on the rise, this disproves the overtesting explanation (which would mostly catch small tumors). It suggests that actual incidence is increasing, not just detection due to overtesting.

Correct Answer: E

avellanjc · Answer

Bunuel  
 MartyMurray

Here is my reasoning for why I chose B in my mock test:

If patients do not have symptoms until the cancer is in advanced stage, then it is beneficial to have as much detections as possible, regardless of the size of the tumor. Even some false positives could be tolerated, if symptoms don't allow to detect the illness.

Now, when analyzing in more depth, I see that if patients do not have symptoms, they wouldn't even go to get tested. This is the only reason I see for B not working.

Any enlightening comment?

guddo · Answer

The journalist argues that the rise in thyroid cancer diagnoses is not solely due to overtesting finding harmless small tumors. More testing is happening, but that’s not the real cause.

To logically complete the argument, we need a reason why overtesting isn’t the main driver. If tumors of all sizes, including larger, clinically significant ones, are increasing, then the rise in diagnoses reflects a true increase in disease, not just detection of inconsequential tumors. This directly counters the doctors’ claim.

Answer: E

guddo · Answer

The journalist argues that the rise in thyroid cancer diagnoses isn't just due to overtesting finding harmless small tumors. To complete the argument, we need a reason that directly challenges the idea that overtesting is the sole cause.

Option C says test accuracy hasn't improved. This doesn't address the key point: even with the same accuracy, more testing could still find more small, harmless tumors, which would support the doctors' overtesting explanation. It doesn't provide evidence of a real increase in cancer, so it doesn't effectively counter the doctors' claim.

Option E, however, states that tumors of all sizes are increasing. This means larger, clinically significant tumors are also on the rise, which cannot be explained by overtesting alone, overtesting typically only increases detection of small, low-risk tumors. This directly undermines the doctors' explanation and supports the journalist's position.

Therefore, option E is the stronger and more logical completion.

guddo · Answer

Here's why I discarded B.

The doctors claim the increase in diagnoses comes from unnecessary testing finding harmless small tumors.

Option B says symptoms only appear at advanced stages. While that might justify more testing, it doesn't disprove the doctors' claim. Even with more testing justified by late symptoms, those tests could still be detecting mostly harmless small tumors, exactly what the doctors are saying.

The journalist needs evidence that contradicts the doctors' specific claim. Option B doesn't do that, it only says testing might be warranted, not that the tumors found aren't harmless small ones.

Option E works because if tumors of all sizes are increasing (not just small ones), then the rise in diagnoses reflects real disease increase, not just detection of harmless tumors.

Journalist: More and more people are being diagnosed with thyroid

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Journalist: More and more people are being diagnosed with thyroid

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