What Are Cancer Screenings
In 2004,
an estimated 1,300,000 people in the U.S were
diagnosed with cancer, while around 500,000 people
died from this deadly disease. Estimates of the
premature and preventable deaths through screening
vary from 3% to 35%. But what this shows is the
need to have regular cancer screening examinations
for both men and women on an annual basis to effectively
treat this fatal disease.
According to the American Cancer Society, men
have a 1 in 2 lifetime risk of developing cancer,
while women have a 1 in 3 lifetime risk. And although
heart disease in the number one cause of death
in the U.S, cancer comes in a close second. After
age 50, one in two people will be diagnosed with
some form of cancer, and the majority will die
from it. However, with simple cancer screening
tests and general cancer examinations, doctors
can diagnose cancer early and begin an effective
treatment cycle.
So what are cancer screenings? Cancer screenings
can be simple noninvasive or invasive procedures
that a doctor can conduct to detect precancerous
or early cancerous growths. By undergoing regular
cancer screenings a person can increase their
chances of surviving cancer, and beating this
disease.
The importance of cancer screenings cannot be
emphasized enough. By regularly getting yourself
screened for cancer, both men and women can often
treat this otherwise fatal disease. Cancer does
not have to be fatal nor does it have to control
your life. By going for regular annual examinations,
most people can beat cancer, as early treatment
is the best way to defeat this disease. Cancer
screening is important as it detect cancers early
before symptoms can appear. People who have cancer
diagnosed early generally have better outcomes
than those who have cancer diagnosed at later
stages. The American Cancer Society estimates
that if all Americans received the recommended
screenings, the 5 year survival rate for people
with cancers would come up to 95%.
However, just as important, is the need to follow-up
with your health care provider after being screened.
No test is 100% accurate. But do not assume that
any abnormal result automatically means that you
have cancer. The people at greatest risk for developing
cancer are those who have a family history of
this disease. Other risk factors for developing
cancer include; smoking, unhealthy dietary habits,
ultraviolet radiation exposure, alcohol, ionizing
radiation, exposure to certain chemicals and hormone
replacement therapy (HRT). However, with the help
of regular screenings many can take the necessary
steps to reduce their risks. Based on American
Cancer Society guidelines, women should regularly
have;
- a pap smear
- clinical breast exam
- pelvic exam
- digital rectal exam (age appropriate)
- fecal occult blood test (age appropriate)
Men should regularly have;
- testicular exam
- digital rectal exam (age appropriate)
- prostate specific antigen test (age appropriate)
- Screening cancer plays a very important part
in defeating this disease
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