If you’re concerned about cancer, you know that catching it early can be the key to better outcomes and more effective treatments. A healthier lifestyle can help you avoid some types of cancer as well, which is something that the preventative medicine experts here at Matthews Internal Medicine can help you with. What you may not know, is exactly what a cancer screening can detect. What types of cancer can be caught early and which kinds of tests are used to find signs of particular forms of cancer? Let’s take a closer look.
Breast Cancer
To test for breast cancer, an internist will usually perform a mammogram. They can check for lumps or other signs of the disease in order to catch it early. Like many other forms of cancer, the earlier that breast cancer is caught the earlier it is to treat.
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer, can be detected early as well. Doctors will look for abnormal growths known as precancerous polyps in the colon and rectum. They can then remove them before they end up turning into cancer. Most doctors recommend that you start opting for colon cancer screenings when you turn fifty, but some might recommend the age of forty-five based on family history or other factors.
Lung Cancer
Another type of cancer screening that’s extremely common is a lung cancer test. If you have a history of smoking, your doctor might recommend that it’s done every year. This particular test uses low-dose computed tomography, also known as a low-dose CT scan, in order to get detailed pictures of the lungs. Patients who are between the ages of fifty-five and eighty years old are also encouraged to get this screening, regardless of smoking history.
Cervical Cancer
Doctors can also test women for cervical cancer and detect it early. A procedure known as a pap test can spot abnormal cells that could soon turn into cancer. An HPV test can also look for human papillomavirus, a disease that can cause these cells to change. Patients should start to get this test around the age of twenty-one. The earlier this type of cancer is detected, the better.
Blood Cancers
A complete blood count, or CBC, can be used to detect blood cancers. This test looks at your blood to see if you have too many or too few of certain types of blood cells. After that, procedures like a bone marrow biopsy could be needed to confirm a diagnosis.
Biomarker Tests
Some other forms of cancer, like liver and prostate cancers, can also be detected with biomarker tests. A physician will look for biomarkers that indicate signs of cancer in blood, urine, or other bodily fluids. Some of these tests still need work though and can deliver a false positive. A physician will usually want to be extra sure about your diagnosis when using these kinds of tests.
Your Preventative Medicine Experts in Matthews, NC
If you’re concerned about living a healthier lifestyle and lowering your chances of developing a debilitating disease, we can help. Contact Matthews Internal Medicine at (704) 750-2329 and start living a better life today. We look forward to helping you.