Millions of people around the world die from cancer every year. Yet, it is not an incurable disease. If caught early, cancer can be treated at a fraction of the cost of more aggressive treatments. One way to catch cancer early is to opt for regular screening tests. Many types of tests can detect cancer even before a patient has symptoms. Routine screening tests can help diagnose diseases of the breast, bowel, uterus, and lungs.
People over the age of 20 should be screened for oral, skin, thyroid, ovarian, and lymph node problems. Breast cancer often shows symptoms such as a lump in the breast, a change in the shape of the breast, a darkening of the skin, or swollen lymph nodes. A mammogram can detect breast lumps even before they are felt. Also, mammograms can also detect localized breast carcinoma (DCIS), which can be invasive cancer in some women. Women over 40 are recommended to have a mammogram every 1 or 2 years.
For women under 40 with breast cancer,
see your healthcare provider. Cervical cancer is caused by the abnormal growth of cells in the uterus. HPV is the most common cause of cervical cancer. HPV tests can often detect HPV early. The HPV vaccine is usually recommended for girls and women between the ages of 11 and 26. Like the HPV test, the PVP test can detect abnormal cells that can turn into cancer. Healthcare providers generally recommend HPV and PVP testing every 3 years for women over the age of 30. Colorectal cancer usually arises from polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. Early polyps can be detected by screening tests. If such polyps are found, they can be removed before they become cancerous. Doctors often recommend that people start screening after age 50. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer in Indian men. People who smoke have a higher risk of developing lung cancer, but it can also occur in people who have never smoked. People who smoke (1 pack a day) or are current smokers or have quit in the last 15 years have an increased risk of lung cancer. Currently, low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is the only test recommended for lung cancer. Doctors recommend annual lung cancer screening for people aged 55 to 80 who are at high risk of developing lung cancer.
