There is a myth about cancer which is very prevalent i.e. ‘Cancer is untreatable and a death sentence’, which is absolutely false. If detected early and with the right team of physicians to guide you through it, cancer is very much treatable and life after cancer can be as normal as prior to it. Yuvraj Singh was detected with cancer and now he is fully cancer free and running between the wickets with the same vigor as before.
Cancer Screening tests are the tests which are run before the symptoms of cancer appear. The tests differ depending upon the organs where the cancer cells originate from.
The oncologists at the best cancer care in your region, Capitol Hospital will tell you about the CSTs.
The main goal behind cancer screening is to reduce the number of people who develop cancer and also to try and reduce the number of cancer deaths. Everyday scientists continue to look through new cancer screening tests which can eliminate cancer deaths. It is an evolving active research.
Screening tests can comprise of mainly four parts.
SCREENING THE BODY AND LOOKING AT THE PATIENT HISTORY
A physical exam of the body by the doctors, for instance, checking the body for diseases, abnormalities, lumps or anything that stands out of the ordinary. Not all lumps are cancer. A look at the patient history is also done including previous treatments and medications that have been taken. For example, a woman’s breasts can be checked for lumps in case of breast cancer and other tests can be done to ensure the authenticity of the results.
LABORATORY TESTS
Another way to screen the body can be through running laboratory tests on blood samples, urine, and tissues of the concerned person. For instance, there is a stool DNA test where the DNA from the stool is examined to look for cancer.CA-125 test with ultrasound of the vagina is done to detect ovarian cancer.PSA test with a digital rectum exam is done for prostate cancer.
MEDICAL IMAGING PROCEDURES
These procedures are done to detect diseases by digitally capturing the inside of the body. For example, X-rays and CT scans (Computed Tomography). Lung Cancer can be detected with the CT scans (Low-dose helical or spiral computed).
SCREENING TESTS AND THE RISKS
All screening tests have risks. Hence we should always have a discussion about this with our doctor and tell him about the full history of our previous diagnosis and their medications. Sometimes we get false results through these screening tests but if the cancer is detected at an early stage, full cure is possible for a patient.
So, if you have a doubt about you having cancer or cancer is heredity for you, don’t be afraid to visit a physician near you.