Cancer screening tests are essential to detect cancer early, even before there are symptoms, which increases the effectiveness of treatment. These tests, however, do not diagnose cancer but only attempt to detect cancerous cells in your body.

What you need to know:

Understanding cancer screening
Importance of early detection
Who should be screened for cancer?
Types of cancer screening tests

Understanding cancer screening

Cancer screening is defined as identifying cancerous cells in a healthy body through tests, examinations or other procedures that can be applied rapidly and efficiently. Remember, your healthcare provider’s recommendation for a screening test doesn’t mean that you have cancer. If you think you have cancer symptoms, ask a healthcare provider about what you should do.

Importance of early detection

Early diagnosis of cancer allows patients with symptoms to have the best opportunity for successful treatment. It raises the survival rates, offers early care and can also cure cancer completely.

Who should be screened for cancer?

You don’t need routine screening tests for cancer until you are in your 40s. However, you should have screening tests if

You have been diagnosed with a medical condition, such as HPV (Human papillomavirus infection), that can lead to cancer
You have a history of cancer in your family

Types of cancer screening tests

Here are the most common types of cancer screening tests:

Breast cancer screening tests

Breast cancer is the second most common cause of death among women, and it affects women who are 40 years and above. Studies show that mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early when it’s easier to treat. Here are some of the cancer screening tests:

Age 40-49: Women in this age group should have yearly mammograms and breast examinations.
Age 50-74: Your doctor may recommend you to have a mammogram every two years.
Occasionally, breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used by healthcare specialists to screen an individual who inherited genes with an increased risk of cancer.

Prostate cancer screening tests

Men, who are 45 years and above need to have a digital rectal examination every year through a blood test to check for prostate cancer. If you are 45 or above, ask a healthcare provider if you should have a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test.

Cervical cancer screening tests

Here are some guidelines for the cervical cancer test:

Cervical cancer screening tests should begin when you are 21.
People aged 21-29 should have a pap smear (Papanicolaou) test every three years.
People older than 30 should have the HPV (human papillomavirus) test every five years, as it can cause cervical cancer.

Lung cancer screening tests

Annual lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is recommended for most individuals between the age group of 50 and 80 years who smoke heavily or have quit smoking in the last 15 years.

While cancer is scary and being screened can make you feel anxious, early detection of cancer can help cure it completely. If you want a cancer screening test, ask a medical expert about the next steps.

Stay tuned to the Activ Living Community. Keep up to date with the latest health tips and trends through expert videos, podcasts, articles, and much more in nutrition, fitness, mindfulness, and lifestyle conditions like Asthma, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Diabetes. Activ Living ke saath sahi sehat ki shuruaat ABHIkaro.

You may also be interested in the following blogs:

Popular Searches