Various Types of Cancer Screenings
Overview
There are many different cancer screenings available for patients depending on the type of cancer they are concerned about. It is important to discuss history with a doctor to consult if screenings should be done and at what age before getting a test. While screenings can detect early cancer, the tests cannot treat the cancer itself and the results should be used as a reference to find preventative measures. This article will provide a brief overview of the current screenings available for certain types of cancers as well as information on when to screen and the risks that are potentially involved.
What screenings are available for breast cancer?
Breast cancer screening involves checking a woman’s breast for cancer before there are clear signs or symptoms of the disease. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends women who are 50 to 74 years old, or those who are at average risk for breast cancer, to get a screening every two years while those who are 40 to 49 years old should consult a doctor before getting screened. These screenings can detect breast cancer in the early stages, but it cannot prevent it from developing, so it is best to talk with a doctor about the results to find the best preventative measures. Breast cancer screenings include:
Film Mammography - Takes an x-ray picture of the breast
Digital Mammography - Takes a digital picture of the breast
Thermography - A procedure in which a special camera that senses heat is used to record the temperature of the skin that covers the breasts. Tumors can cause temperature changes that may show up on the thermogram.
Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) - Uses x-rays to take a series of pictures of the breast from many different angles. A computer is used to make 3D pictures of the breast from these x-rays.
What are cervical cancer screenings?
Cervical cancer begins in the cells of the cervix which is in the lower, narrow end of the uterus. This cancer typically develops slowly with the cervical cells first going through dysplasia where abnormal cells start to appear in the tissue and then developing deep in the cervix if not properly removed or eliminated early in the process. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states those with a cervix should start getting Pap tests at age 21 every 3 years, those between 30 and 65 years old should either get an HPV test alone, a Pap test alone, or an HPV test with the Pap test, and those above the age of 65 years old should consult a doctor. Cervical cancer screenings include:
Conventional Cytology (Pap Smear) - Looks for precancers which are cervical cell changes that may become cancer if not properly treated.
Liquid Based Cytology (LBC) - Technique that involves collecting cervical cells and dissolving them in a liquid preservative to then detect cancer.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing - Looks for the Human papillomavirus that causes cell change on the cervix.
Visual Inspection on Acetic Acid (VIA) - Can detect cervical precancerous lesions in apparently healthy, asymptomatic women.
What are lung cancer screenings?
Lung cancer only has one recommended screening test known as low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). The CDC recommends that a yearly screening should be done by those who have a 20 pack-year or more smoking history, smoke currently or have quit within the past 15 years, and between the ages of 50 and 80 years old. There are higher risks for this screening as the test could suggest a healthy person has lung cancer when there is no cancer present also called a false-positive result, the screening finds cancer that never causes a problem for the patient also called over-diagnosis, or the radiation from repeated LDCT tests could cause cancer in healthy patients.
LDCT - You lie on a table and an x-ray machine uses a low dose (amount) of radiation to make detailed images of your lungs. The scan only takes a few minutes and is not painful.
What are colorectal cancer screenings?
Colorectal cancer involves malignant cells forming in the tissues of the color or rectum. This cancer is typically found more often in men compared to women. The USPSTF recommends adults between the ages of 45 to 75 should be screened. These tests do have risks associated as there can be false-negative test results in which the result may appear to be normal but colorectal cancer is present, or it may lead to a false-positive result in which it appears to be abnormal even though there is no cancer present. Colorectal cancer screenings include:
Colonoscopy - A procedure that checks the inside of your entire colon (large intestine) stool tests.
Sigmoidoscopy - Diagnostic test used to check the sigmoid colon, which is the lower part of you colon or large intestine.
Virtual Colonoscopy - A special x-ray elimination of the colon using low dose computed tomography (CT).
Guaiac-Based Fecal Occult Blood Test (gFOBT) - Uses the chemical guaiac to detect blood in the stool sample.
Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) - Looks for tiny amounts of blood in the fecal matter.
What are skin cancer screenings?
Skin cancer screenings involve checkin the skin for moles or lesions to detect suspicious changes early before developing into cancer. While there is no recommendation for regular screenings of this cancer, the CDC suggests to test if you do not have a history of skin cancer or any suspicious spots to make sure you get ahead of the problem. There are risks associated with this screening including false-negative test results, false-positive test results, results of the screening not always improving health, and the biopsy potentially leading to scarring. While both people and doctors can observe the skin for cancer, there are diagnostic tests for skin cancer including:
Skin Exam - An exam of the skin for bumps or spots that look abnormal in color, size, shape, or texture. This can be done by patients on a regular basis or with a doctor.
Skin Biopsy - All or part of the abnormal-looking growth is cut from the skin and viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. There are four main types of biopsies:
Shave Biopsy - A sterile razor blade is used to “shave-off” the abnormal-looking growth.
Punch Biopsy - A special instrument called a punch or a trephine is used to remove a circle of tissue from the abnormal-looking growth.
Incisional Biopsy - A scalpel is used to remove part of a growth.
Excisional Biopsy - A scalpel is used to remove the entire growth.
References
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/screening.htm
https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/breast-cancer-screening
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/screening.htm#:~:text=The%20HPV%20test%20looks%20for,they%20are%20not%20treated%20appropriately.
https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/basic_info/screening.htm#:~:text=may%20work%20better.-,The%20only%20recommended%20screening%20test%20for%20lung%20cancer%20is%20low,detailed%20images%20of%20your%20lungs.
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/basic_info/screening/tests.htm
https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/patient/colorectal-screening-pdq
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/screening.htm
https://www.cancer.gov/types/skin/patient/skin-screening-pdq#:~:text=A%20visual%20self%2Dexam%20by,size%2C%20shape%2C%20or%20texture.
Written by Sharon and EJ
