Common Cancer Screening Tests for Cancer Prevention

Cancer is one of the leading causes of global death today. And, according to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that there will be about 12 million cancer-related deaths in 2030 worldwide. Yet, most of the common cancers can be prevented or easily treated when detected during its early stages.

An important tool for early diagnosis of cancer is a cancer screening test. Common cancers that can be screened with good outcome when detected and treated early are cancers of the breast and cervix and colorectal (colon) cancer.

Cancer Screening Tests for Breast cancer

The best screening tool for breast cancer is the medical imaging procedure called mammography. Mammograms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are the best method to detect early breast cancers. When found early, the condition is much easier to treat.

Another screening test is the clinical breast exam. In this procedure, a healthcare provider will use his or her hands to feel for lumps or other changes in the breast. Women may also perform this by way of a breast self-exam. However, experts say that clinical breast exam and breast self-exam has not been proven to decrease the risk of dying from the disease. Having a lump that is proven to be cancerous may be more difficult to treat as the cancer cells may have already spread to nearby organs or other parts of the body.

According to the data from the CDC, more than 180, 000 women and more than 1, 700 men were diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States in 2005.

Cancer Screening Tests for Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer, which is a cancer that starts in the cervix of the uterus (womb), was once the leading cause of death from cancer for women in the United States. But because of the increase of women who are getting regular Pap tests, the number of cervical cancer-related deaths has steadily declined over the years. In 2005, there were almost 12, 000 cases of cervical cancer in the United States, according to recent statistics obtained from the CDC.

According to the CDC, cervical cancer is the easiest female cancer that can be prevented through regular tests and follow-up. The two most common cervical cancer screening tests are the Pap (or Pap smear) test and the HPV test.

Regular Pap tests are recommended for women who reach the age of 21. Women younger than 21 are also recommended to undergo regular Pap tests within three years of the first time they have sex.

A Pap test can easily be done in a doctor's clinic. The test involves collecting few cell samples and mucus from the cervix, which will be studied in the laboratory. If the healthcare provider recommends an HPV test in addition to the Pap test, the cell samples collected will be tested at the laboratory for HPV as well.

HPV stands for the human papillomavirus. The HPV test is used to detect the presence of HPV, which can cause cervical cancer. This test may be used if the Pap test result is unclear. In addition, the HPV test may be used for screening women aged 30 or older.

Cancer Screening Tests for Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the colon or rectum. In 2004, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of death due to cancer, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Colorectal cancer usually develops from abnormal growths in the colon or rectum. These abnormal growths in the colon lining or rectal lining are called polyps. In some cases, a polyp is benign, meaning it is not cancer. However, because an abnormal growth can become cancer, early detection is essential.

Common colorectal screening tests include high-sensitivity fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. Each of these procedures can be used alone or in combination.

Once a polyp has been detected, it can also be removed during the time of the test. Early removal of the polyp can prevent the development of colorectal cancer. This does not, however, mean that that person will not develop polyps in the future. Regular screening may still be necessary. If detected immediately, early colorectal cancer is easier to treat than a fully grown cancer that has spread.

Testing for colorectal cancer is recommended by health experts for people aged 50 and older. People who are younger but are at risk for the condition may need to be tested earlier. These include people who have had colorectal polyps or have a family member who has had polyps or colorectal cancer; have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); or have genetic syndrome like familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).

Generally, getting screened for cancer is beneficial. Early detection of cancer or precancerous growths (abnormal cells that can cause cancer) can be treated effectively. Also, treatment of early cancer is less expensive than treating a cancer that has already affected other organs.

Sources:

Breast Cancer Screening (October 2006). Retrieved on February 15, 2010 from http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/screening.htm

Basic Information About Cervical Cancer (July 2009). Retrieved on February 15, 2010 from http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/index.htm

Colorectal Cancer Screening (January 2010). Retrieved on February 15, 2010 from http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/basic_info/screening/tests.htm

Cancer Fact Sheet (February 2009). Retrieved on February 15, 2010 from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs297/en/index.html