Cancer Screening

Early diagnosis significantly improves cancer treatment success rates. Cancer screenings help detect abnormal tissues and early signs of cancer, often before symptoms appear. This is particularly crucial for cancers like breast cancer, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer.

Who Should Consider Cancer Screening?

Individuals with the following risk factors should discuss cancer screening with their doctor:

• Increasing age
• Family history of cancer
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Frequent alcohol consumption
• Exposure to cancer-causing substances
• Viral hepatitis B or C infection

How is Cancer Diagnosed?

Cancer diagnosis involves various methods, including:

• Physical Exam: Checking for lumps, skin changes, or organ enlargement.
• Laboratory Tests: Blood and urine tests to identify cancer-related abnormalities.
• Imaging Tests: X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, PET scans, and ultrasounds to visualize tumors.
• Biopsy: Collecting a tissue sample for microscopic examination to confirm cancer diagnosis.

How is Cancer Staged?

After diagnosis, doctors determine the stage of cancer, which indicates the extent of its spread. This information guides treatment decisions and helps predict the likely outcome.

Common Cancer Screening Tests

• Blood Tests:

  • Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) test for liver cancer
  • Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for prostate cancer
  • CA-125 test for ovarian cancer
  • Fecal occult blood test for colorectal cancer
     

• Specific Cancer Screenings:

  • Breast Cancer: Mammograms and breast MRI for high-risk individuals.
  • Cervical/Ovarian Cancer: Pap smears, HPV testing, and transvaginal ultrasounds.
  • Lung Cancer: Low-dose helical computed tomography for high-risk individuals, especially smokers.
  • Colorectal Cancer: Colonoscopies to detect polyps and early-stage cancers.