As medicine has evolved and new procedures have made it easier to detect disease earlier, more and more patients have asked us about cancer screenings. How effective are they? Which cancers can I check for? At Matthews Internal Medicine we specialize in preventative care, so detecting a devastating disease like cancer early on is obviously a priority for us. That being said, there are some things that you should know about the cancer screenings used today.
More Types of Cancer Can Be Detected Early
What many people already know is that more kinds of cancer can be detected early thanks to advances in screening technology. There are specific screenings for certain types of cancer. Mammograms help detect breast cancer, colonoscopies help detect colon cancer, and a pap smear can detect cervical cancer. These techniques can spot cancer earlier on, making treatment easier and generally improving outcomes.
Tests Can Be Tailored to Specific Patients
Doctors can also figure out which cancer screenings should be given to which patient. Even if a test isn’t that invasive, no one wants to go through a medical procedure, and pay for it, for no real reason. For example, an internist will look at your family history to see if there are any hereditary causes for concern. If you’re a smoker or were one at one point, a LDCT test for lung cancer is probably going to be recommended at one point. There’s no one type of screening for all types of cancer, so your doctor will likely decide which procedures would be most beneficial.
Some Cancers May Not Have Caused Death
This is one odd and unexpected thing that’s come up as cancer screenings become more advanced. In some cases, the cancer that’s detected might not have the potential to kill the patient. Some types of cancer are benign or can become benign. Others “spontaneously remit.” In layman’s terms, they just go away. Other cancers are growing so slowly that they would never actually cause a patient’s death. Because cancer treatments can have debilitating side effects, it’s up to a doctor to decide if a treatment actually needs to be administered.
Routine Screening Isn’t Recommended for Some Cancers
In some cases, routine screenings for some cancers are not actually recommended by medical professionals. In the case of bladder cancer, oral cancer, and skin cancer, there’s actually not enough evidence to support or oppose routine screenings. Screenings for some cancers, like ovarian, pancreatic, and testicular, have not had any effect on death rates. There are some cancers, like prostate cancer, where routine screening is actually advised against.
Cancer is a complex disease that takes many forms, so it’s probably no surprise that cancer screening can seem just as complex. Fortunately, your doctor is able to give you the information you need and will know what kinds of screenings you can benefit from.
Your Internal Medicine Doctors in Matthews, NC
At Matthews Internal Medicine, we’ll always let you know the potential harms and benefits of every screening, treatment, or procedure. Now that you’ve learned more about early detection, contact us if you’re concerned and believe that you should have a cancer screening in Charlotte, NC. Set up an appointment through our website or call us at (704) 750-2329 today!