Table of Contents
Cancer screening is a series of tests and scans to detect cancer cells early. Early detection is extremely important for treating cancer. People who do not show any symptoms should also be screened. Thanks to these regular screenings, cancer can be detected in the early stages. Some types of cancer do not show symptoms in the early stages, but can be detected through screening. For example, breast cancer screening can detect breast cancer in its early stages and start treatment before the cancerous cells spread.
Can Cancer Be Detected Early Through Cancer Screening?
Cancer screening plays a life-saving role in the fight against cancer by allowing cancer to be diagnosed at an early stage and treatment to be started earlier. Since cancers detected early are smaller in size, surgical intervention can be less traumatic and treatment has fewer side effects. In addition, cancers detected early have a better chance of being treated.
What are Cancer Screening Methods?
There are many cancer screening methods and the method to be chosen may vary depending on the type of cancer, personal risk factors and age. The most common cancer screening methods are as follows:
Breast Cancer Screening
Breast cancer screening involves women being screened with different methods such as mammograms, breast MRI and clinical breast examinations. A mammogram is usually recommended once a year for women after the age of 50
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal cancer screening can be done with different methods, such as colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and stool DNA testing. A colonoscopy is usually recommended every 10 years after the age of 50.
Cervical Cancer Screening
Cervical cancer screening involves women having a smear test or HPV test. A smear test is usually recommended every three years from the age of 21.
Lung Cancer Screening
Lung cancer screening involves high-risk people having regular CT scans. Smokers should have a CT scan once a year between the ages of 55 and 80.
Prostate cancer screening
Screening for prostate cancer is done with a PSA test. The PSA test is recommended for men to have once a year after the age of 50.
It is important to talk to your doctor to learn more about cancer screening and to determine which screening methods are appropriate for your personal risk factors.
How are cancer screening results interpreted?
Cancer screening results can vary depending on the type of screening test and the patient's personal characteristics. In general, however, cancer screening results can be interpreted as follows:
- Negative result: If the screening result is negative, which means that no evidence of cancer is found, this is usually interpreted as a positive result. However, negative results are not always accurate, even in the early stages of cancer findings, which is why regular screenings are important.,
- Positive result: If the screening result is positive, which means there is evidence of cancer, this is usually a cause for concern. Although positive results indicate the presence of cancer, further tests may be needed to make a diagnosis.
- Suspicious Result: In some cases, the screening result may be suspicious. That is, there may be no signs of cancer, but the test results are slightly abnormal. In this case, doctors will usually monitor the situation by doing more tests.
Cancer screening results may not always be accurate. Therefore, screening tests are not always enough to make a full diagnosis. If you have any concerns, you can get the most accurate result by contacting your doctor.
