Screening - Cancer
Cancer is a disease that is eating its way steadily into the fabric of modern society. Most cancers are sporadic and some of them are life style- induced. 10% of them display a familial pattern of inheritance.
Cancer can actually be considered a multi-factorial disease with a combination of genes and environment playing a role as its causative factors.
Health screenings and regular check ups will definitely help to detect cancer at an early stage and the disease can even be forced to enter long-term remission.
Let’s take a look at how the following cancers can be screened:
a) Breast cancer – This is a common cancer among women. Those with a family history of BC should screen for mutant BRCA. Even otherwise, those above the age of 45 years would benefit from a mammogram which is the routine test used to screen
b) Prostate cancer –This cancer is a common reason for mortality among men. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) assay and digital rectal examination may be carried out for men between the ages of 50-70 years. For those with a family history the exam must be carried out by 45 years.
c) Cervical cancer – Pap smear test is a
d) Kidney cancer-A urine test may be carried out to check for presence of blood. Other tests to screen for
e) Colorectal cancer –People who are at a higher risk of acquiring
Screening tests include digital rectal examination, stool guaiac testing (Hemoccult), proctosigmoidoscopy and/or pancolonoscopy, and barium enema with air-contrast studies.
