Cancer screening

Cancer screening refers to the process of identifying cancer in individuals who do not show symptoms. The goal of cancer screening is to detect cancer at an early stage when it is more likely to be treatable.

Types of Cancer Screening

There are several types of cancer screening tests, including:

• Mammography: This is an X-ray of the breast used to detect breast cancer.
• Pap test: This test involves collecting cells from the cervix to detect cervical cancer.
• Colonoscopy: This test uses a long, flexible tube to examine the colon and rectum for colorectal cancer.
• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test: This blood test measures the level of PSA, a protein produced by the prostate gland, to detect prostate cancer.
• Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT): This test uses low-dose radiation to make detailed images of the lungs and is used to detect lung cancer.

Benefits and Risks

Cancer screening can help detect cancer at an early stage when it is more likely to be treatable. However, it also has potential risks. For example, some tests can lead to false positives, which can cause unnecessary stress and additional testing. Some tests can also lead to overdiagnosis, which is the detection of cancers that would not have caused symptoms or death.

Guidelines

Various organizations, such as the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, provide guidelines on who should be screened for certain types of cancer and when. These guidelines are based on factors such as age, sex, and risk factors for specific types of cancer.

See Also

• Preventive healthcare
• Oncology
• Medical imaging