Why is a cancer screening important?
Cancer can be a scary diagnosis. Fortunately, you can do a lot to prevent cancer, including having a cancer screening regularly. Cancer screening can lead to an early diagnosis and early treatment, which offers the best chance of an excellent outcome. Dr. Lawrence Delano Tran in Burbank, California offers a wide range of medical services, including cancer screening.
These are some of the most common ways to screen for various types of cancer:
Breast cancer; this cancer can be detected early using mammograms and other imaging including an MRI. Clinical examination is also useful to find lumps in the breast, which can be benign, or potentially cancerous. About 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Women ages 50 to 74 years old should have a mammogram every 2 years, and women who are 40 to 49 years old should consult their doctor about how often to have a mammogram.
Cervical cancer; this cancer can be diagnosed with a pap test. During a pap test, your doctor will remove just a few cells from your cervix to look for human papillomavirus, or HPV, which is the virus that can cause cervical cancer. A pap test can help diagnose cervical cancer early when the cure rate is very high. Pap tests should begin when you reach 21. If your test is normal, your doctor may recommend 3-year intervals for the test.
Colon cancer; this cancer can detected with a colonoscopy which uses a flexible tube with a camera attached to the end. This tube is inserted into the rectum and guided up through the colon. The colonoscopy allows your doctor to view your colon and locate polyps or abnormal growths. Your doctor can take a tissue sample for biopsy to determine whether cancerous cells are present. The procedure is performed under anesthesia and is recommended when you reach the age of 50.
These are just a few of the most common screening tests for cancer. Other tests include lung, prostate, pancreatic, ovarian, testicular, and thyroid cancer.