The Importance of Cancer Screenings

The prospect of treating cancer is daunting for any patient—especially so if the person is diagnosed with late-stage cancer. One of the best ways to help catch the disease before it progresses or spreads is through regular cancer screening.

What is a cancer screening?

A cancer screening is a type of evaluation that looks for potential signs of cancer before a person develops symptoms. This can be particularly effective, as symptom development may not arise until the cancer has progressed and may be harder to treat. By looking for and diagnosing cancer through early screening, patients stand a much better chance at surviving and thriving after a diagnosis.

What does a screening look like?

Now that you’ve answered what is a cancer screening, you may wonder what it entails. There are many different types of screenings and they can be employed separately or together, based on the patient’s medical history and risk status. A physical exam may be the most common and involves a physician closely examining the patient’s body to look for anything unusual while also taking a history and learning about the patient’s habits or other problem areas. Other screening procedures involve lab tests, imaging, and genetic tests, all of which can flag potential signs of cancer.

Should I get a cancer screening?

Those who have a risk for cancer should consider regular screening. For instance, patients who have survived cancer or who have close relatives who have been diagnosed are advised to be screened periodically. Similarly, smokers, those with blood clots, patients with genetic mutations, and those who are of advanced age are also prime candidates for regular cancer screening.

Cancer screening may sound like a formal and perhaps intimidating process but it can actually be quick and painless—and can provide life-saving results. Speak with your doctor to evaluate your risk for cancer and, if you do have any factors, build cancer screenings into your routine care. A cancer diagnosis is not something anyone wants to plan for, but by being proactive and taking some simple steps to evaluate your health, you can get ahead of any potential problems.

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