Cancer Detection from Screening

Cancer detection from screening is the best method for detecting cancer, and early detection is key to beating this disease. Your best line of defense is always an effective offense, and these routine screening exams are your best hope for detecting cancer in its early stages.

Annual Pap smear and breast exam

For women, the most important cancer-screening exams are a yearly Pap smear and breast exam. A Pap test looks for changes in the cells of the cervix and detects cervical cancer at an early stage. A breast exam, commonly done at the same time as the Pap test, detects small lumps in the breast. Your physician is well-trained in detecting cancerous lumps that are often missed during a self-exam. After the age of 50, your doctor usually recommends a mammogram, which detects very small lumps in the breast.

Colorectal exam

A colorectal exam is used to detect cancers of the colon or rectum. A digital rectal exam is the first step in the process, but doctors sometimes recommend other exams including a barium enema or colonoscopy for a more in-depth look at the colon. After the age of 50, a colonoscopy is recommended every 5 to 10 years to screen for changes in the colon.

Skin and mole exam

At your annual physical exam, be sure your doctor examines your skin for out-of-the-ordinary moles and other changes. If you have any concerns, bring them up with your doctor at this time and have him or her take a look. It is important to keep a close eye on changes in moles. Moles that look abnormal sometimes require further tests to rule out cancerous changes.

With a few simple screening measures, many cancers are detected in their early stages. This saves many lives each year.