Ultrasound Tests to Detect Early Signs of Cancer

Breast Cancer awareness month is October, and many people know that having a yearly mammogram exam is crucial. It could save your life if it is diagnosed or detected early. Breast cancer is not just for women any more. It hits men too.

Since cancer is the number one leading killer, there are currently five different ultrasound tests available, and your insurance may not pay for them. This scan tests are just guidelines; talk to your doctor to determine what tests are best suited for you.

Breast ultrasound - Cost around $75 to $300

This scan is for women with dense breast tissues, which show up on X-ray. It is an addition to mammogram. Ultrasound is non invasive, and painless. A radiologist slides a small device over your skin, which sends and receives sound waves, then transfers images onto a screen. Ultrasound and mammogram combine will give you more comprehensive result. If cancer is found at an early stage, it is highly curable.

Heart scan - Cost around $400 to $600

Women over 40 years of age with one or more of these risk factors: obesity, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, smoking, postmenopausal, and family history of heart disease should have a heart scan to check for cardiovascular disease. This scan looks for sign of plague buildup in the arteries, which causes stroke or heart attack. It can also detect heart disease at an earlier stage than other tests such as EKG and X-ray.

Bone Mineral Density Test - Cost around $150 to $350

This scans for osteoporosis (the bone disease that cause fracture), and also for osteopenia (low bone mass that lead to osteoporosis). The scanner uses a small amount of X-ray to measure the thickness of your hips and spine. Postmenopausal women with family history of fracture after 45, small-boned or thin, an inactive lifestyle, smoker, and alcohol drinkers should have this test. Since osteoporosis have no symptoms, women over 65 years of age should get screening because bones lose rapidly after menopause.

Lung scan - Cost around $250 to $350

This scans for lung cancer. People, who have been smoking one-pack a day for 10 years, or the equivalent of two-packs for five years, should get this test. This scan can pick up hundreds of images of your lungs. When people are still symptoms free, if tumors are found, and successfully treated, this test could save your life. Because when lung cancer symptoms start, it is already too advanced that most patients die within five years.

Trans-vaginal ultrasound - Cost around $200 to $400

This scans for ovarian cancer. It is advised that women with family history of this disease should get the test 10 years before the earliest relative developed the cancer. If you think that yearly gyno exam is enough, it is not. Ovarian cancer cannot be detected during a routine checkup. You could go undiagnosed until the cancer is too advanced. If it caught before it has spread, you will have 85 percent, instead of 25 percent after diagnosed for the five years survival rate.

Although insurance may not pay for these tests, your life is worth considered in the equation. Make sure your doctor know your concerns if you are thinking about having one of these tests. He or she knows what is best for you.

October is breast cancer awareness month. Let's help each other be aware of all the options, preventive measure, and remind our loved ones to have regular checkups. Both men and women may benefit from one or two of these tests.