Some tests to screen for common types of cancer

This is an automatically translated article.

Cancer is still one of the incurable diseases that we have to be on high alert in modern life. Cancer screening tests help detect a cancer diagnosis before a patient has clinical symptoms of the disease. Regular screening can help detect some types of cancer early when the tumor is small, has not spread, and is therefore easily treatable. Below are cancer screening tests for specific types of cancer.

1. Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of death in women.
Measures for early breast cancer screening include:
Clinical examination of the breast: It is necessary to ensure that the entire mammary gland is examined, including the tail of the gland near the armpit. The doctor will teach the patient how to do a breast self-exam at home. Breast self-examination if done properly can help detect a breast lump early for a better prognosis; Mammography: A special X-ray method that gives detailed images of the mammary glands, which can see very small calcifications. Mammography plays an important role in breast cancer screening. Women over 40 are recommended to have a mammogram every 1-2 years; Mammography: Especially useful in patients with dense breast tissue. Ultrasonography will help distinguish a cystic lesion from a solid lesion. In addition, with ultrasound, the woman will not be at risk of X-ray infection, suitable for pregnant women who need screening and young women to reduce the influence of X-rays on the body.

2. Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer often presents with signs of a benign disease. Therefore, this disease is only detected when it is in the late stages, causing many high mortality rates. People between the ages of 50 and 75 have a higher risk of colorectal cancer. People under the age of 50 are also at risk, but it is more common in people with a family history of the disease.
Screen for colorectal cancer with the following tests:
Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or colonoscopy every 10 years, or double-contrast colonoscopy every 5 years /times, or CT colonoscopy (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years; Conduct a Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) or Fecal Immunochemical Test once a year or a stool DNA test (Stool DNA test); If one of the above tests is positive, a colonoscopy should be performed; Some people with a family history of high risk for polyps or colorectal cancer should be screened more often.

3. Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer after breast cancer in women. Vietnam and many countries around the world have introduced the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer in women. This is the most effective method today in preventing cancer. Cervical cancer screening should be initiated in women ≥ 21 years of age, and should not be performed in women < 21 years of age.
Thinprep Pap test is a widely used cervical cancer screening test today. Through this test, the cells in the cervix will be evaluated so that they can find abnormal cells that can cause cervical cancer. After detecting abnormal cells, the doctor will conduct colposcopy and biopsy for accurate diagnosis.
Women between the ages of 21 and 29 should have a PAP test every 3 years. HPV testing should not be performed in women in this age group unless there is an abnormal PAP test result; Women aged 30 - 65 years should have a PAP test and HPV test every 5 years or a PAP test every 3 years; Women > 65 years of age with normal routine screening results should not continue with cervical cancer screening tests. Once screening is finished, it should not be started again. Women with a history of cervical pre-cancer should continue to be screened for at least 20 years after diagnosis, even if they are > 65 years of age; Screening should not be performed in women who have had a total hysterectomy for causes unrelated to cervical cancer and who have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer; Women who have been vaccinated against HPV should still be screened as recommended for their age.

4. Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most common cancer in men and the leading cause of death in both sexes.
Lung cancer screening is not recommended in people at low to moderate risk for lung cancer; Should be performed in people at high risk for lung cancer: Age 55-74, smoking history of more than 30 packs per year, current smoker or have quit smoking for < 15 years; The method of early lung cancer screening being used today is periodic chest X-ray for people aged 55 - 74; Smokers who smoke more than 30 packs/year should have regular chest X-rays; Low-radiation computed tomography is becoming the trend of choice for lung cancer screening.

5. Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the leading cause of death in men. This disease, if detected at an early stage, is highly curable.
The method of screening for early prostate cancer is a direct manual examination to evaluate the prostate gland, to check the specificity of the prostate. When there are abnormal signs, the doctor will perform transrectal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging to accurately diagnose the tumor's nature.
In summary, early cancer screening test is considered to be the perfect measure in timely detection and treatment of all types of cancer, helping to reduce treatment costs and especially mortality in patients.
Currently Vinmec International General Hospital is providing Cancer Screening Packages with outstanding advantages:
A team of highly qualified and experienced doctors. Comprehensive professional cooperation with domestic and international hospitals. Comprehensive patient care and treatment, multi-specialty coordination towards individualizing each patient. Having a full range of specialized facilities to diagnose the disease and stage it before treatment: Endoscopy, CT scan, PET-CT scan, MRI, histopathological diagnosis, gene-cell testing, .. There are full range of mainstream cancer treatment methods: surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, stem cell transplant... For detailed advice on Cancer Screening Packages at Vinmec, you can contact us directly. You can contact Vinmec Hospitals and Clinics nationwide HERE.


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