Cancer Filtering

Cancer screening tests intended to determine the likelihood of cancer. This test can reduce the number of deaths from cancer, because if cancer is found in its earliest stages, usually can be treated before it spreads any further.

Screening test is uncertain, the result confirmed or denied by the examination and further tests.

Although screening test can save someone's life but it is expensive and sometimes cause psychic or psychical reactions. Usually, screening test give a large number of false positive result, which allegedly occurred when in fact no cancer. Screening test could also give false negative result, where no evidence of a cancer when the cancer has occurred.

False positive results could cause undue psychological stress and can lead to doing other tests are expensive and dangerous. False negative result can make a person in a false sense of security. Therefore, medical practitioners should carefully consider whether screening tests are not necessary or not.

2 test screening of the most widely used in women is Papanicolau test (Pap smear) to find cervical cancer and mammography to find breast cancer. Both tests have been successful in reducing death rates from these cancers.

Screening tests are often performed in men is a measurement of PSA levels (prostate-specific agent) in the blood. In patient with prostate cancer, PSA levels are high, but levels are also increased in men with benign prostate enlargement. The drawback of this test is the high cost and frequent false positive result were found.

Other screening test are often used to check the hidden blood (occult blood) in the feces. Occult blood can not be seen with the naked eye, should be the examination of stool samples. 

The discovery of occult blood in the stool are clues that something was not right in the colon. Maybe a cancer, although other diseases can also lead to the discovery of a small amount of blood in the stool.

Some screening tests can be done at home. For example, do breast self examination every month is very valuable in helping women find breast cancer. Regularly check the scrotum can help men discover testicular cancer, one form of cancer is most curable if found at an early stage. Regularly check the presence of open sores in the mouth can help to find oral cancer in early stages.

Posted in: cancer