The treatment of any kind of disease, especially a group of disease like cancer is more effective when it is detected in the early stages as the chances of it getting fully cured and the overall life ratio of the patient raises manifold. With the coming of age medical treatments and breakthrough in the field of cancer research, there are various advanced tools and techniques which point at the screening and the diagnosis of the cancers in the early stages.
Screening tests of cancer
Goals of screening of cancer
Researchers all over the world are toiling hard to develop tests and tools to find specific ways to deduce the presence of cancer in humans even before the symptoms or the signs begin to appear. This …show more content…
Types of cancer screening tests
Some of the cancer screening tests which have been effective in reducing deaths from cancer are:
1. Sigmoidoscopy, High-sensitivity fecal occult blood test (FOBTs) and colonoscopy: Some of the screening tests that needs mention are the ones to detect the cancer in the rectum and the colon region and which are mandatory for people over fifty to carry out regularly as they are at high risk at the age. All these screening tests have been shown to reduce the number of deaths from colorectal cancers. Where Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy helps in preventing the occurrence of colorectal cancers. The Double- contrast barium enema is another procedure related to these cancers which involves the process of x-raying the rectum and the colon repeatedly to check for concerns. Digital rectum test is once again another regular rectum examination done by a medical practitioner but examines the lowest part of the rectum area.
2. Mammography: This test is majorly used to deduce breast cancer issues and to reduce the death count in women. In the mammography procedure a simple x ray is taken of the breast so that early detection is possible. It is however important for women in their forties to go for a yearly mammography test to stay …show more content…
To understand the issue better, they would delve deep into your family and personal medical history and carry out a range of physical examinations too. The medical practitioner might also add various x-rays, lab tests and other processes to deduce the problem better as well.
1. Imaging Procedures: While almost all of the cancer detecting tests are mentioned above, doctors might ask you for various imaging procedures which gives the doctor a pictorial representation of your internal part and make him/her understand whether a tumor is present or not. Some of the various such procedures include x-rays, CT scans, radionuclide scans, ultrasound, MRI, and PET scan among others.
2. Laboratory tests: The other tests that the doctor might consider are the tests of urine, blood and other body fluids which will let the doctor decide better. However it is important to note that these tests are not the defining factors of cancer and thus the other mentioned forms of diagnosis are