Screening programs for some cancers are developed to prevent or catch early-stage disease. In the case of other cancers, certain tests are applied.
The tests that need to be done for each type of cancer are mentioned below.
Lung Cancer
The most common method used to detect lung cancer is chest radiography, chest CT scan or looking for tumour cells in sputum. Chest tomography and the search for tumour cells in sputum in particular, are more sensitive methods than chest radiography. It is recommended that healthy people have routine cancer screenings, especially those at increased risk of lung cancer – e.g. smokers, those exposed to asbestos and those whose parents have lung cancer. In addition, in the presence of any of the conditions listed below, it is a good idea to get tested for lung cancer:
- Prolonged cough
- Bleeding from the mouth.
- Hoarse voice
- Change of voice to hoarser and harsher.
- Chest pain, backache, or lateral pain of unclear origin.
- Wheezing
- Difficult breathing that cannot be explained
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the most common tumours in men. It is diagnosed by monitoring the level of a specific antigen (PSA) in the blood annually in all men over 50. Prostate cancer in its early stages has no clearly distinguishable indicators, but once indicators appear it develops very rapidly. Disease indicators may lead to confusion with prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Therefore, it is recommended to do PSA testing in men with the following symptoms:
- Slowing and decreasing urine output
- Frequent urination
- Blood in the urine
- Urinary discharge
- Unexplained bone pain
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is common in women, so women over 40 should have a mammogram once a year. Mammography ensures early detection of breast cancer. It is a harmless and easy method of examination that can be started from the age of 20. Other methods such as magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography are also used to diagnose breast cancer. The most common symptoms are:
- A painless lump in the breast, which does not disappear by itself
- A lump or other disruption of the skin integrity of the breast
- A breast lump receding inward
- Nipple discharge
- Over a longer period when the breast enlarges and causes swelling and ulceration of the skin
- Enlarged tonsils
Skin Cancer
It is usually noticeable as it is on the surface of the skin. However, there are some parts of the skin that cannot be seen, so a dermatological examination is done once a year. For example, in places like the scalp where lesions are hidden, it is good to have periodic examinations. Any changes in moles and other skin lesions should be monitored by a dermatologist as well.
Stomach Cancer
There is no routine examination for patients who have no complaints of stomach ache. But patients who have any of the following complaints, should undergo endoscopic investigation:
- Identified disorder or pain in the upper abdomen
- Sensation of early satiety
- Difficulty swallowing
- Vomiting
- Bleeding from the mouth due to the digestive system
- Unexplained weight loss
- Anorexia and feeling of weakness
Urinary Bladder Cancer
There is no routine examination. When there is a suspicion for a disease, an investigation called a cystoscopy is performed by entering the urinary bladder through the urethra.
Colorectal Cancer
People over 50 are recommended to have a colonoscopy. If the results are normal, it is necessary to do the test again every 5 or 10 years. Besides colonoscopy, blood in the stool may be monitored as well. Colon cancer investigations are recommended in any of the cases below.
- If there is a family history of colon cancer
- If there is a family history of polyps
- There is a family history of adenomatosis
- If there is a reported polyp in the colon
- In case of an intestinal disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
On the other hand, colonoscopy may be necessary in the following situations:
- Changes in defecation habits
- Defecation accompanied by constipation or diarrhoea
- Blood in the stool
- Iron-deficiency anaemia
Thyroid Cancer
There is no routine screening programme. If suspected, an examination of the hands and neck, thyroid ultrasound, and biopsy of the involved node should be performed.
Cancer of the Uterus
About 20% of uterine tumours give no indication of their existence. In general, a Pap test is performed in which a sample is taken from the cervical canal. In fact, the PAP test is very important to detect cell changes before they generalise. It is done once a year after starting sexual life. However, it is less effective for uterine cancer. If there is a suspicion for uterine cancer, CT scan or MRI of the abdomen is recommended.
Ovarian Cancer
There is no routine screening programme. If there is any suspicion for that, information about the disease may be obtained by testing the CA-125 protein in the blood. A tumour mass in the ovary may be detected through gynaecological examination, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging.