Cancer Screening: What You Should Know
What Is Cancer Screening?
Cancer screening means checking for cancer before symptoms appear. The goal is to detect cancer early, when it's easier to treat and more likely to be cured. Screening tests are designed for people without any symptoms, especially those at higher risk due to age, lifestyle, or family history.
Why Is Screening Important?
Early detection = better outcomes
Less invasive treatment may be possible
Reduced mortality for many cancers
Common Types of Cancer with Routine Screening
1. Breast Cancer
Who: Women aged 40–74, depending on risk
Symptoms (if present):
Lump in the breast
Changes in breast shape or skin
Nipple discharge
Screening Test : USS and Mammogram every 3-5 years
2. Cervical Cancer
Who: Women aged 21–65
Symptoms (if present):
Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Pelvic pain
Pain during sex
Screening Tests:
Pap test (Pap smear) every 3 years
HPV test (for human papillomavirus) every 5 years or combined Pap + HPV
3. Colorectal Cancer
Who: Adults aged 45–75
Symptoms (if present):
Blood in stool
Change in bowel habits
Unexplained weight loss
Screening Tests:
Colonoscopy every 10 years (gold standard)
Stool tests (FIT, gFOBT, or stool DNA) every 1–3 years
Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
4. Prostate Cancer
Who: Men aged 50–69, especially those with risk factors
Symptoms (if present):
Frequent urination
Difficulty starting/stopping urine
Blood in urine or semen
Screening Tests:
PSA blood test (Prostate Specific Antigen)
Sometimes followed by a digital rectal exam (DRE)
5. Lung Cancer
Who: Adults aged 50–80 with a 20+ pack-year smoking history, current or quit within 15 years
Symptoms (if present):
Persistent cough
Chest pain
Coughing up blood
Screening Test:
Low-dose CT scan (LDCT) yearly
6. Skin Cancer
Who: People with fair skin, high sun exposure, or family history
Symptoms:
New or changing moles
Spots that itch, bleed, or don’t heal
Screening:
Visual skin exam by a doctor or self-check monthly
No standardized national screening, but dermatology evaluation for high-risk individuals
Less Common but Important Screening Considerations
Oral Cancer: Visual exams in smokers or heavy drinkers
Ovarian Cancer: No reliable routine screening; CA-125 blood test sometimes used for high-risk individuals
Pancreatic Cancer: Screening only for high-risk genetic syndromes
Testicular Cancer: Mostly self-exam; no routine screening guidelines
Takeaway Tips
Talk to us to see which cancer screenings are right for you based on age, sex, family history, and lifestyle.
Don’t wait for symptoms — early detection saves lives.
Maintain regular wellness visits to stay up to date with screenings.
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