Cancer is a deadly disease, which is not only detrimental to the health of the individual but wreaks havoc on the family members in many ways. Hence, early cancer diagnosis is crucial in the fight against the disease. Screening is an important aspect of comprehensive healthcare as it enables the identification of the disease before symptoms appears, making treatment more efficient and effective.
When a patient’s cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, there is a much greater chance of being able to treat the disease successfully, often with less invasive procedures and fewer long-term side effects. But too many people are being diagnosed with cancer at later stages.
It’s also important that we diagnose cancers as fast as possible so that treatment can start quickly, as accurately as possible – for example, identifying the genetic make-up of an individual’s tumor tells us how best to treat it – and that we diagnose relapse as early as possible.
The below are the significance of early cancer diagnosis
- Detects cancer before it spreads, making treatment more simple and short.
- Improves survival rates as early detection increases chances of successful treatment.
- Reduces treatment costs, duration and minimizes the side effects of added and combined therapy.
- Avoids suffering from symptoms caused by the progression of the disease.
There are several different types of cancer screening tests that exist, including laboratory tests, physical exams and history analysis, genetic tests, and imaging procedures. Laboratory tests include blood tests and oral cancer and cervical screening tests, as well as tests for urine, tissue, and hormonal imbalances. A thorough physical exam, along with a review of personal and familial medical history, can also help predict the onset of cancer. Genetic tests look for genetic mutations that are indicative of some forms of cancer.
Imaging procedures can provide pictures of the internal body for further analysis. It’s understandable to feel fear or anxiety when it comes to cancer screenings, but it’s important to overcome these fears. By facing the potential presence of cancer, you can take the first and proactive step towards eliminating the disease from your body. If the results are negative, you can rest easy knowing that you’re healthy. If the results are positive, it’s still best to know so you can take steps to prevent the spread of the disease and seek treatment. Early detection greatly increases the chances of successful treatment, so don’t let fear hold you back from taking control of your health.
Early diagnosis of cancer focuses on detecting symptomatic patients as early as possible so they have the best chance for successful treatment. When cancer care is delayed or inaccessible there is a lower chance of survival, greater problems associated with treatment and higher costs of care. Early diagnosis improves cancer outcomes by providing care at the earliest possible stage and is therefore an important public health strategy in all settings.
Screening is a different strategy than early diagnosis. It is defined as the presumptive identification of unrecognized disease in an apparently healthy, asymptomatic population by means of tests, examinations or other procedures that can be applied rapidly and easily to the target population. A screening programme must include all the core components in the screening process from inviting the target population to accessing effective treatment for individuals diagnosed with disease.
Compared to early diagnosis, cancer screening is a distinct and more complex public health strategy that mandates additional resources, infrastructure and coordination. WHO recommends that screening programmes only be undertaken when their effectiveness has been demonstrated, when resources are sufficient to cover the target group, when facilities exist to confirm diagnoses and ensure treatment, and when the prevalence of the disease is high enough to justify screening.
Leave a Reply