Cancer screening and testing is the process of checking your body for cancer when you have no symptoms or signs. The main purposes for cancer screening are:
- Help prevent cancer deaths
- Reduce the number of people developing disease
- Helps the government for future planning in the fight against cancer
Development of new cancer screening tests is now an actively cancer research area. Not all types of cancer can currently be screened. Currently, cancer screening is available for the following types of cancers.
Breast cancer
Skin cancer
Lung cancer
Cervical cancer
Prostate cancer
Head and neck cancers
Colorectal cancer
Screening Breast Cancer
Breast cancer screening can be done through the following tests:
Breast self-examination
Mammography
Clinical breasts examination
Magnetic resonance images (MRI)
Mammography is a special type of x-ray specifically designed to view the whole breast. The images produced during a mammogram can show tumors or other irregularities in the breast that cannot be felt during examinations or through other breast changes.
When it comes to clinical-examination, a medical expert feels and looks for any changes in the breast’s size or shape when doing a clinical breast examination. The examiner also checks the nipples and breasts for changes in skin texture.
Breast self-examination – The best technique to test for breast cancer at home is through self-examination. You examine and feel your own breasts to check for any changes during a breast self-examination. You should consult a doctor if you detect any changes.
The routine detection of breast cancer does not include an MRI. But individuals who are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer, those who have dense breasts, or those who discover a lump during a breast exam might find it useful.
Screening for Cervical Cancer
The common tests used for screening cervical cancer include:
1. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) test – The human papillomavirus (HPV) test identifies the presence of human papillomavirus, a virus which can lead to the growth of genital warts and abnormal cervical cells which can cause cervical cancer. Doctors may recommend the HPV test if:
- One is age 30 and above
- When the Pap test is abnormal, presenting a typical squamous cells of undetermined significance.
Currently there is no HPV test for men, it is only available to women. Men can however still be infected with HPV and can transmit the virus to other women.
2. Pap test – A Pap test, commonly known as a Pap smear, is a procedure a doctor uses to check for cervical cancer in female patients. Additionally, it may highlight changes in your cervical cells that could later develop into cancer. A Pap smear is done to look for changes in cervical cells before they turn into cancer, finding cell changes early can help prevent one from getting cancer.
Screening for Colorectal Cancer
There are many different ways for testing colorectal cancer including:
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is a test used to look for changes — such as irritated tissues, swollen polyps or cancer in the colon and rectum. During a colonoscopy, a long, flexible tube with a tiny video camera at the tip of the tube allows the doctor to view the inside of the entire colon. If necessary, polyps or other types of abnormal tissue can be removed through the scope during a colonoscopy. Tissue samples (biopsies) can be taken during a colonoscopy as well.
Sigmoidoscopy
A sigmoidoscopy, also called a flexible sigmoidoscopy, is a procedure that lets your doctor look inside your sigmoid colon by using a flexible tube with a light on it. It helps your doctor check for abnormal cells and polyps. Typically, pieces of tissue will be taken as samples to check for any abnormal cell changes.
Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)
Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is a test that checks for occult or hidden blood in the stool. A small sample of stool is placed in a special collecting tube and submitted to a doctor or laboratory for examination. Blood in the stool could indicate colon cancer or other issues such as polyps, ulcers, or haemorrhoids.
CT Colonography
Computed tomographic (CT) colonography, also called CTC, virtual colonoscopy (VC) or CT pneumocolon, is a powerful minimally invasive technique for colorectal cancer screening.
Stool DNA tests
The stool DNA test is a noninvasive test to screen for colon cancer. Stool DNA testing is intended to screen for colon cancer or precancerous polyps in people with no symptoms. This test identifies DNA changes in the cells of a stool sample and looks for abnormal DNA associated with colon cancer or polyps
Screening for neck and head cancers
This is a simple, quick procedure in which the doctor looks in the nose, mouth, and throat for abnormalities and feels for lumps in the neck. During a physical examination, the doctor feels for any lumps on the neck, lips, gums, and cheeks. The doctor will also inspect the nose, mouth, throat, and tongue for abnormalities, often using a light and a mirror for a clearer view. Blood and urine tests may be done to help diagnose cancer.
Screening for Lung Cancer
In screening for lung cancer, the doctor feels or checks for any lumps on the neck, lips, gums, and cheeks. The doctor will also inspect the nose, mouth, throat, and tongue for abnormalities, often using a light and a mirror for a clearer view. Blood and urine tests may be done to help diagnose cancer.
Screening for Prostate Cancer
The two major tests for prostate cancer screening include:
Digital rectal exam (DRE)
The digital rectal (DRE) exam is a physical examination of the rectum, the last few inches of the bowel, just above the anus. The doctor uses a gloved and lubricated finger to check for abnormalities of the anus and rectum. It takes about one to two minutes and, although it may cause some mild discomfort, it should not be painful. By feeling through the rectal wall, the doctor can also examine the surface of the prostate gland in men and some of the reproductive organs in women.
Prostate-specific antigen test (PSA)
The PSA test is a blood test used primarily to screen for prostate cancer. The test measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. PSA is a protein produced by both cancerous and noncancerous tissue in the prostate, a small gland that sits below the bladder in males. PSA is mostly found in semen, which also is produced in the prostate. Small amounts of PSA ordinarily circulate in the blood. The PSA test can detect high levels of PSA that may indicate the presence of prostate cancer.
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