Screening

One of the most effective forms of cancer prevention is early detection through screening. Screening doesn’t prevent cancer from developing, but it allows physicians to find it in its earliest and most treatable stages often before symptoms appear. For some cancers, early detection can reduce mortality by more than 50%.

Below is a comprehensive list of cancer screening tests currently in use or emerging, along with their benefits and recommended use:

1. Mammography (Breast Cancer)

• Detects tumors in breast tissue before they become palpable.
• Recommended annually or biennially for women aged 40 and older, depending on personal risk factors.
• Digital 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) provides more accurate results, especially in women with dense breast tissue.

2. Pap Test and HPV Test (Cervical Cancer)

• Pap test detects abnormal cervical cells.
• HPV test identifies high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus.
• Women aged 21-65 should be screened regularly, with testing intervals based on age and test combination.

3. Colonoscopy / FIT / FOBT (Colorectal Cancer)

• Colonoscopy can detect and remove pre-cancerous polyps.
• Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) and Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) detect hidden blood in stool.
• Recommended starting at age 45 for average-risk individuals.

4. Low-Dose CT (Lung Cancer)

• Screens high-risk individuals (especially long-term smokers) for early signs of lung cancer.
• Recommended for adults aged 50-80 with a significant smoking history.

5. PSA Test and Digital Rectal Exam (Prostate Cancer)

• Measures levels of prostate-specific antigen in the blood.
• Often combined with a physical examination.
• Discussed individually with men aged 50 and above (or earlier for high-risk groups).

6. Skin Examination (Skin Cancer)

• Visual inspection of skin for suspicious moles or lesions.
• Self-exams and dermatologist screenings, particularly for those with fair skin, history of sunburns, or family history.

7. Oral Examination (Oral Cancer)

• Performed by dentists or doctors to detect lesions, lumps, or abnormalities in the mouth.
• Especially important for tobacco or heavy alcohol users.

8. CA-125 Test + Transvaginal Ultrasound (Ovarian Cancer)

• Monitors blood levels of the CA-125 protein.
• Not a standard population-wide screening but used for high-risk women.

9. Endoscopy (Esophageal and Stomach Cancers)

• Used in individuals with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or other risk factors.
• May include biopsies of suspicious areas.

10. LDH, AFP, HCG (Testicular Cancer and Liver Cancer)

• Blood tests used to monitor tumor markers in high-risk individuals or those with a family history.

11. Emerging Screening Tools

• Liquid Biopsies: Detect circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in blood, potentially identifying multiple cancers in one test.
• Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Tests: Blood-based tests being developed to screen for more than 50 types of cancer from a single sample.
• AI-powered imaging analysis: Enhances interpretation accuracy in radiology and pathology.

The Importance of Screening

Screening saves lives. It empowers individuals with knowledge, gives doctors time to act, and prevents suffering. But it only works if people participate. At SHRO, we advocate for accessible, science-based screening programs and work to develop even more accurate, affordable, and less invasive diagnostic tools in our labs.

Don’t wait for symptoms. Screening is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your future.