Cancer Screening

Sometimes cancer is found because certain symptoms force a person to go to the doctor. Because of the symptoms, the doctor orders tests and diagnosis cancer. As far as we know, the earlier cancer is detected the better the survival rate is.

Another way to detect the presence of cancer is through a screening process. Researchers have spent much of their time creating methods to screen people for various cancers. Through regular screening, many cancers are much less prevalent. When these cancers do exist, they are found much earlier due to these screening tests.

The Pap test is one of the greatest success stories as far as screening test. Women are urged to have regular pap tests to detect cancer of the cervix. This test is simple and best of all pretty painless. It is also inexpensive. The doctor scrapes a few cells from the cervix and sends them to a lab for diagnosis. If cancer of the cervix is found at this early stage, a surgeon will remove the uterus and cancer can no longer develop. No other problems should arise from this cancer because it was caught very early by a pap test.

Another valuable screening tool is the mammogram. Women should have a base line test at age 35 and then start having regular mammograms after age 40. Women should have them at least every three years until 50 when they should be repeated every year. Mammograms are invaluable for detecting early breast cancer. Another screening method is a physical checking of the breasts by a doctor and personal self-examination each month.

A fairly easy screening method for colon cancer or rectal cancer is to check a person’s fecal matter for blood. This is quite simple. A small sample is taken and checked for the presence of blood. A physical exam is also a good screening method to find problems early.

Even though screening means an early diagnosis of cancer, many people still neglect to have these simple tests. Some excuses are it hurts, it’s too much trouble, I don’t have insurance, and I know I am fine. I don’t need these tests. Whatever the test, the result is the same. Early detection may make the difference between life and death. Early screening is that important.

Copyright 2007 Janice D. Sterling - All Rights Reserved

Technorati Tags: Cancer Research, Cancer Screening

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