SHARES
Amy had been feeling out of place recently. Her breasts had been feeling sore and tender. “Could it be premenstrual syndrome (PMS)?” she thought to herself. As each day passes, the breast tenderness eventually subsided. However, her breasts felt different as she noticed new lumps. Should she consult a doctor for cancer screening? Or is she being paranoid?
Cancer screening checks your body for cancer before symptoms appear, detecting cancer or pre-cancerous cells early. Timely treatment helps reduce or prevent cancer deaths, in some cases cures cancer. However, screening also carries certain hazards, such as over diagnosis, false positive results, running unnecessary tests and providing false reassurance. Regardless, for certain specific cancers, the benefit of screening outweighs the risk.
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for breast, cervical, colorectal and lung cancers. For these common cancers, evidence shows that screening saves lives!
Meanwhile, screening for ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, testicular and thyroid cancers has not shown to reduce deaths from those cancers. Even so, finding any abnormalities, symptoms or new lumps early still deserves medical attention.
Breast Cancer Screening
Health statistics show one in eight females in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer throughout her lifetime.
The gold standard screening test is mammogram — an x-ray of the breast. Hence, experts recommend a biennial mammogram for women aged 50 to 74, with average risk for breast cancer. Meanwhile, women below age 50 should consult their doctor on when to start and how often to get a mammogram. Besides that, other tests available are breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), clinical breast exam or breast self-examination.
Learn more: Beat Breast Cancer with Breast Self-Examination
Cervical Cancer Screening
Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in women, with 6.6 % occurrence among all female cancers. Most women are diagnosed with precancerous changes in the cervix in their 20s and 30s. As the cancer progresses slowly, many women find themselves diagnosed with cervical cancer in their mid 50s instead.
Two tests are available to screen cervical cancer: PAP test and human papillomavirus (HPV) test. A PAP test detects pre-cancerous cells in the cervix. Experts recommend PAP test for anyone above age 21 that is sexually active. Repeat the test every three years if the results return normal.
Meanwhile, the HPV test look for the virus (HPV) that can cause cancerous cell changes. The recommendation is HPV test is for anyone above 30 years old. Repeat every five years if the results return normal. Sometimes, your doctor may conduct co-testing with both Pap test and HPV test.
Screening is not necessary for those above age 65 if their results were normal in the past, or if the cervix is removed in total hysterectomy for non-cancerous conditions.
Learn more: Can HPV vaccine prevent cancers?
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal cancer, or colon cancer, is the cancer that affects the colon and the rectum. It is second leading cause of cancer death, with incidence of one in 20 people with colorectal cancer cancer. This cancer almost always develops from precancerous polyps, which can be removed before they become cancerous if found early.
Tests available include stool tests, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy and CT colonography. Regular screening should begin at age 50 and repeated as required through to age 75. Beyond age 76, screening should only under your doctor’s discretion.
However, testing before age 50 might be necessary in those with higher risk, such as family history of colorectal polyp or cancer, and medical history of inflammatory bowel disease or certain genetic disorder. If you think you have higher risk, talk to your doctor about the best time to start screening, the right test and the frequency of screening.
Learn more: Kick Cancer in the Butt – Wipe out Colon Cancer by Catching it Early
Lung Cancer Screening
Lung cancer happens when the cells in the lungs divide uncontrollably. The cells eventually grow into a tumour that reduces a person’s ability to breathe. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, with the average age of people diagnosed being age 70.
The only recommended test is low-dose computed tomography (CT), which uses X-ray and low doses of radiation to make detailed pictures of the lungs. The yearly screening is recommended for those that fulfill all of these conditions: history of heavy smoking (30 pack years or more), current smokers or have quit within the past 15 years, and are between age 55 to 80.
Nevertheless, screening should cease when the person turns 81 years old, has not smoked in 15 years, or develop a health problem that renders him or her unwilling or unable to have surgery if lung cancer is found.
Learn more: Know it All – 7 Telltale Warning signs to detect Lung Cancer Early!
Conclusion
Cancer is a condition where cells divide uncontrollably to form a tumour. Regular cancer screening makes it possible to catch these abnormal cells early for treatment. If you experience any unexplainable discomfort, always consult a doctor. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Further Read:
- How to Spot Cancer Early – Beware of the Warning Signs [Part 1]
- How to Spot Cancer Early – Beware of the Warning Signs [Part 2]
Find an Oncologist in Malaysia, on GetDoc
Find an Oncologist in Singapore, on GetDoc
by Joanne Lee
Multipotentialite. Loves creating and seeing ideas come alive. View all articles by Joanne Lee.
