At a Glance:
2. What are the types of screening tests?
3. Are there any risks of screening tests?
4. Do screening tests diagnose cancer?
5. At what age should a person get cancer screening done?
6. What are the screening recommendations for the early detection of cervical cancer
7. What are the screening recommendations for the early detection of breast cancer?
8. What are the screening recommendations for the early detection of endometrial cancer?
9. What are the screening recommendations for the early detection of colon & rectal cancer & polyps?
10. What are the screening recommendations for the early detection of lung cancer
11. What are the screening recommendations for the early detection of prostate cancer
12. What are the screening recommendations for the early detection of head and neck cancer?
13. What is cancer screening test cost in India?
The process of identifying cancer before a person develops any symptoms is called cancer screening. Early detection of cancer or any abnormal tissue can help in early treatment as cancer may grow and spread if not detected early, making it more difficult to treat or cure. However, one must remember that merely getting a screening test does not always mean that a person may have cancer.
There are different methods to screen cancers, some of which include:
While screening tests are helpful in many cases, it should be kept in mind that not all screening tests are helpful, and many of them have risks. Thus, it is strongly recommended that a person should consult his/her oncologist before undertaking any screening test. Some of these risks include:
Some screening procedures may be invasive in nature and may cause bleeding or other problems. For example, screening for colon cancer using procedures like sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy may cause tears in the colon’s lining.
Sometimes, the screening tests may report abnormal positive even if there is no cancer. As a result, the person may become anxious and may have to undergo more tests and procedures, which have their own risks.
Sometimes, the result of a screening test may appear to be negative in the presence of cancer. As a result, there may be a delay in seeking medical advice even in the presence of symptoms.
There may not be any symptoms in certain types of cancers or they may not be life-threatening. On the other hand, some cancers may be very aggressive even if identified early. As a result, treating cancer doesn’t always mean that a person would live longer in the situation if no treatment were given.
An important fact to always remember is that screening tests are usually not meant to diagnose cancer. An abnormal screening test may just mean that an individual may be at a higher risk or more tests may be required to check for cancer. For example, a positive mammogram may just be indicative of the presence of a breast lump. Further tests like pathological examination of a sample of tissue or biopsy from the lump may be needed to confirm if the lump is cancer. Sometimes, certain screening tests may be recommended only for people having some risk factors for certain cancers. For example:
Having a risk factor does not mean that a person will get cancer. Similarly, not having a risk factor does not mean that a person will not get cancer. Yet, some screening tests are advised only for people with known risk factors for some cancers.
A person’s overall health gets affected with diet, personal habits and fitness levels, and the genetic risk for developing cancers and chronic diseases. There are many internationally recognized screening guidelines. These recommendations may vary from country to country, and they may also vary from one organization to another within the countries. Hence, it is important for a person to follow age-based recommendations for cancer screening depending on individual susceptibility and the advice of the oncologist.
Some women – because of their health history (HIV infection, organ transplant, DES exposure, etc.) may need a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Talk to a health care provider about your history.
The Pap test can find abnormal cells in the cervix which may turn into cancer. The HPV test looks for the virus (human papillomavirus) that can cause these cell changes. Pap tests also can find cervical cancer early, when the chance of being cured is very high.
Screening for breast cancer is done by checking the breasts for the presence of cancer before the disease shows any signs or symptoms. As mentioned earlier, it may not be possible to prevent cancer with screening, but it can help early detection, making it easier to treat. The screening guidelines below apply to most women:
Breast cancer screening exams help to find breast cancer at an early stage. When found early, the chances for successfully treating the disease are greatest.
Along with regular exams, practice awareness is important. This means you should stay familiar with your breasts. That way you’ll notice changes, like a new lump or mass. Then, report them to your doctor without delay.
The screening recommendations below apply to most women:
A woman may be at an increased risk for breast cancer under the following situations:
High-risk women should be screened with MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) along with mammograms.
Every woman should get familiarized with the benefits and potential risks of breast cancer screening. Women should also be aware of the normal appearance and feel of their breasts. Any changes in self-examination should be immediately reported.
People at higher or increased risk for colon and rectal cancer and polyps include:
As per the recommendations, those who are at average risk of colorectal cancer should begin regular screening at the age of 45 years.
Individuals in good health and those likely to live for 10 years or more should continue with colorectal cancer screening until the age of 75 years.
Those between 76 to 85 years consider discussing with their Oncologist whether or not to continue with screening.
Screening is generally not recommended for people over 85 years.
Some of the tests for screening include:
Stool-based tests:
Visual exams:
Lung cancer screening helps to identify the presence of lung cancer in otherwise healthy people who are at risk of lung cancer. Older adults who have been or are long-time smokers with no signs or symptoms of lung cancer are highly recommended to go for lung cancer screening with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT)
Age-wise screening is thus ideally advised for
In addition, the undermentioned people should also consider screening for lung cancer:
Prostate cancer can often be detected in early stages by testing the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood of a person. Digital rectal exam (DRE) done by a doctor is another way to find out the presence of prostate cancer. In DRE, the doctor examines the rectum by inserting a gloved, lubricated finger to feel the prostate gland.
While it may not be possible to prevent cancers altogether, certain precautions can help individuals reduce the risk of cancers. Some of these precautions include lifestyle changes like:
Screening for cancer before you develop symptoms is a good way to determine the presence of cancers. It is a good way to prevent or treat them early, thus helping in fewer complications and better quality of life in many cases. Screening tests, if done regularly, may be helpful in finding some categories of cancers like breast, cervical, and colorectal (colon) cancers early in people at risk or those in specific age groups. Lung cancer screening is recommended for categories of people who are at high risk. However, screening tests should be undertaken upon consultation with your doctor who can help you in making an informed decision after taking your medical and personal history, doing a physical examination, and weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the screening test.
We hope we were able to address your queries related to screening test guidelines for different cancers. If you wish to know more about screening tests, you can request a call-back, and our experts will call you and answer all your queries.
About Author –
Dr. Sachin Subash Marda, Consultant Oncologist (Cancer Specialist), Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad
Dr. Sachin Subash Marda specializes in breast cancer, head & neck cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, gynecological and urological cancers. He has a vast experience in several robotic surgeries, laparoscopic surgeries, day care oncological procedures and HIPEC.
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