Cancer Testing/Screening & How It Can Save People’s Lives
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death and mortality worldwide. Some countries may have higher cancer patients than others. Cancer remains the number one cause of death in Singapore, where there are at least 28.40{65cfa2dee81bcb6f7646c4636ebc1a3a76243bb70bbb1920546f42e59e5616c3} of deaths among its patients, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH). Colon and rectum are the most common cancer affecting men, while breast cancer is for women. Hence, many people nowadays seek solutions and cancer testing services to live longer and reduce the risk of cancer.
The Advantages of Early Cancer Screening
Treating early-stage cancer is easier and more manageable among patients. Taking a cancer screening is perhaps the most common way to look for early signs of cancer for patients who are not experiencing symptoms. In such cases, cancer can develop, even without exhibiting any known symptoms and treating the disease at this stage is more likely to be far more successful. It eases the mortality rate and allows patients to live longer and healthier. One does not have to wait for any symptoms to show to see a doctor and undergo screening. Anyone, especially women, can opt for cancer screening services to prevent the progression of the disease.
To sum up the advantage, here are reasons why screening is your choice:
- Some early cancer screening prevents cancer from developing in the first place, even before symptoms appear.
- It increases your chance of surviving cancer and reduces its severity.
- Getting regular cancer testing/screening reassures you that the result is normal.
- It saves you time and money from costly intensive treatment against cancer with minimal time spent on recovering.
Cancer screening offers more potential benefits than harm (such as false alarms and treatment side-effects, which one can manage). One can find plenty of ways a medical professional can conduct to detect early signs of cancer before it spreads, from a biomarker testing to an MRI and CT scan. Learning more about different tests and procedures will help you understand what to expect before, during and after the procedure.
Types of Cancer Screening Tests To Consider
Breast Cancer Screening
Breast cancer screening, such as mammography and breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), are among the most common ways to detect early signs of breast cancer among women. There are also breast self-examination methods that women can do in the comfort of their homes. Most of these tests aim to determine any changes in the breast, such as a lump.
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal cancer remains among the most common types of cancer, which is why many can be at risk. Nevertheless, early diagnosis can increase the success of curing the disease. Medical professionals can conduct colorectal or colon cancer test in forms, such as colonoscopy, stool tests, and sigmoidoscopy, which are among the most common ones that most healthcare providers use for patients.
Lung Cancer Screening
Low-dose computed tomography (a form of CT scan) is the primary method to help reduce the risk of lung cancer and avoid death among heavy smokers. According to the CDC, people who can avail for screening are those with a 20 pack-year or more smoking history and smokers who have quit within the past 15 years. Smokers who are also at the age between 50 to 80 years old are recommended to take a screening.
Cervical Cancer Screening
A typical cervical cancer testing includes HPV (Human papillomavirus) and Pap tests. One can either use one of these tests alone or in combination since both can prevent the disease’s abnormal cells from spreading before becoming cancer.
Are you looking for a biomarker or tumor profiling test? Visit Guardant Health AMEA for the right cancer test treatment.
