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Cancer Screening Tests: How Often Should You Get Screened?
By Raveena M Prakash
Cancer is a highly intimidating and complex disease, but with the help of early diagnosis and cancer screening tests, it can significantly improve the treatment outcomes and survival rates. Performing cancer screenings helps to identify potential health issues in their initial stages and recognize cancer symptoms before they physically appear in patients. There are several types of cancer screenings that allow early intervention and better prognosis in many suspected cancer patients.
In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of screening tests and different types of cancer tests.
What are cancer screening tests?
Cancer screening tests are medical tests used to check for any signs of cancer in suspected patients before they have any physical symptoms. Performing any type of screening test might help to find out about cancer at an early stage. Cancer is highly curable when they are in its initial stages.
In some cases, screenings help to detect precancerous changes in the patient’s body before the cancer starts to grow and spread; this eventually leads to the prevention of cancer. If you are in your 30s or 40s, start getting screening tests for cancer. Regular screenings help to reduce the risk of cancer.
Why are cancer screening tests important?
Many oncologists suggest that people should undergo screenings to identify any type of cancerous growth in their body. However, the majority of people avoid taking such screenings due to some fear and lack of awareness.
Here are some of the reasons why you should consider screenings:
Early detection and diagnosis: Performing screenings can find any type of cancer at its early stage, which makes it easier to treat and successfully cure cancer.
Cancer prevention: Screenings can identify some precancerous condition which allows preventive measures to stop them from further spreading.
Improved survival rates and recovery: Early-stage cancers mainly require less aggressive treatments and might have high survival rates when compared to advanced stages of cancer.
Types of cancer screening tests
There are different types of screening tests for cancer that are recommended by the oncologists, mainly influenced by the age, gender, family history of cancer, risk factors, and lifestyle choices.
Here are some of the most common screenings tests for different types of cancer, including:
Breast cancer
Women above the age of 40 should start to get breast cancer screenings to avoid the risk of breast cancer.
Recommended tests:
- Mammogram
- Breast MRIs
Cervical cancer
Women at the age of 21 should start to get their cervical cancer tests. Performing cervical cancer screenings helps to detect any types of precancerous cells that can later progress into cancer.
Recommended tests:
- Pap smear tests
- HPV tests
Colorectal cancer
Oncologists suggest people between the ages of 45 and 55 get their cancer tests regularly, and it helps to avoid the risk of colon cancer. Performing cancer diagnosis tests can detect any type of noncancerous polyps, which can potentially become cancer.
Recommended tests:
- Faecal occult blood tests
- DNA stool tests
- Virtual colonoscopy
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy
Prostate cancer
People in the age group of 55 to 65 should consider getting prostate cancer diagnosis tests regularly.
Recommended tests:
- Prostate Antigen Tests (PSA tests)
- Digital rectal exam (DRE)
Lung cancer
An oncologist recommends getting lung screenings when you have a history of smoking or if you belong to the age group of 50 to 80.
Recommended tests:
- Low dose computed tomography (LDCT)
- PET CT Scan
Myths vs facts about cancer screenings
There are some myths and misconceptions about cancer screenings. However, there are some facts about screenings that many cancer patients are not aware of or are hidden.
These may include:
Myths 1: Screening tests are performed when the symptoms start to appear in people.
Facts: The fact is early screening can detect cancer before any major symptoms develop in people.
Myths 2: Screening tests are always painful and dangerous!
Facts: The fact is most screening procedures won’t cause pain. People only experience minimal discomfort during the procedure.
Myths 3: Young people won’t need to undergo any types of cancer screenings.
Facts: The truth is some cancer needs early screening starting from a young age.
Myths 4: Some screenings expose patients to several harmful radiation waves.
Facts: The truth is screenings won’t emit any types of harmful radiation waves.
Myths 5: One normal screenings are enough
Facts : The truth is performing regular screenings is necessary.
Consult Today
Performing regular cancer screenings is a huge step towards protecting your health. Following some significant guidelines and consulting with a physician helps to identify potential health issues in their early stages and take necessary steps towards prevention and effective treatments.
At Oncare, we understand the value of early diagnosis and screenings in cancer treatment; that's why we offer several cancer screening tests at affordable price ranges. We offer transparent and reliable cancer care, including high-quality cancer treatments such as advanced cancer surgeries, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, etc.
If you or any loved ones of yours have been diagnosed with cancer, then visit Oncare Cancer Center and book an appointment with our cancer specialists now! Get an estimated cost of cancer treatments today!
Frequently Asked Questions
People who undergo regular cancer screenings help to detect cancer at its early stages. If any types of cancer get detected in the early stages, it would be highly effective to treat and cure cancer in people.
Cancer screening may involve different types of screening tests.
These may include:
- Physical examination: A physician might check your body to analyze any body changes and symptoms, such as any unusual lump formations. They might ask about your family history of cancer.
- Imaging tests: These tests help to collect the inside images of suspected cancer patients. For example, mammograms and colonoscopies are some of the imaging tests used for the diagnosis of cancer.
- Lab tests: Some of the lab tests may include blood tests and tests to collect tissues. For example, Pap smears are a great example of tests to collect tissues to analyze the growth of cancer.
- Genetic tests: Some of the DNA tests analyse any types of genetic mutations inside the cells.
There are some common cancer screening tests that are used to analyze cancers. These tests start to analyze cancers such as breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers.
The number of cancer screenings performed in people mainly depends on the type of people and individual risk factors. Consult with your physician for more personalized consultation and screening recommendations based on your age, gender, family history of cancer, and lifestyle choices.