Screening can help doctors discover and treat some types of cancer early. Usually, cancer treatment is more effective when the disease is detected in its early stages and there could be a better chance of curing the cancer. Some cancer screening tests are:
Mammogram (breast)
Colonoscopy (colon)
Pap smear (cervix)
PSA blood level and digital rectal exam (prostate)
Screening can also include checking for a person’s risk of developing an inherited disease by doing a genetic test
It is important to remember that if our doctors suggest a screening test, it does not always mean he or she thinks you have cancer. Our Doctors at Choice Cancer Care will consider many factors before recommending a cancer screening test. They will look at all the factors related to the test and to the cancer that the test can detect. They also give particular attention to a person’s risk for developing certain types of cancer such as:
Age
Medical history
General health
Family history
Lifestyle
Our cancer doctors will consider how accurate the test will be and the possible dangers of the screening test itself. They will also look at the risk of follow-up tests or other treatments that you may need if an abnormal test result indicates cancer is present. Our doctors are available to discuss the possible benefits and risks of the different types of cancer screenings and how they can help you.
