Which of the following is characteristic of secondary prevention?

Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and treatment of diseases to minimize their progress and prevent complications. This makes screening to detect and treat pre-clinical pathology a fundamental aspect of secondary prevention. It aims to identify health issues at a stage when they are more easily manageable, thereby improving outcomes for patients.

Rehabilitation to prevent further complications is more closely aligned with tertiary prevention, which is concerned with managing existing diseases and preventing further deterioration. Programmed cell death in cells relates to cellular biology and does not pertain directly to prevention strategies in healthcare. Excessive fluid in body tissues, also known as edema, refers to a clinical condition rather than a preventive strategy.