What is Screening?
For some cancers, specific tests are used to determine the presence of that cancer. These include cancer of the breast, cervix, colon, lung, and prostate. Other cancers for which there are no specific screening tests include: bladder, endometrial, espophageal, gastric, hepatocellular, oral, ovarian, skin, and testicular cancers.
There are many different screening recommendations sponsored by various national organizations. The Iowa Cancer Consortium recommends you talk with your personal physician who knows your medical history about what screenings you should have and when.
From the National Cancer Institute: "Screening is looking for cancer before a person has any symptoms. This can help find cancer at an early stage. When abnormaltissue or cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat. By the time symptoms appear, cancer may have begun to spread.
Scientists are trying to better understand which people are more likely to get certain types of cancer. They also study the things we do and the things around us to see if they cause cancer. This information helps doctors recommend who should be screened for cancer, which screening tests should be used, and how often the tests should be done.
It is important to remember that your doctor does not necessarily think you have cancer if he or she suggests a screening test. Screening tests are given when you have no cancer symptoms.
If a screening test result is abnormal, you may need to have more tests done to find out if you have cancer. These are called diagnostic tests."
Tests and Diagnosis
Breast
Cervical
Colorectal
Lung
Prostate
General Information About Other Cancers: