Cancer Tests: Which Ones Do You Need and When

Cancer is a term that can change lives within an instant. However, with the advancements in technology and modern medicine, it is now completely possible to detect cancer in the earliest and most treatable stages through a cancer diagnosis test. Not all cancers show symptoms at the start and might progress slowly. Hence, it is of utmost importance to stay aware of the symptoms and tests that a person needs to take. Not all people will need to undergo all the tests, instead, it largely depends on the age, family history, and lifestyle of the person. The tests that a particular person would be advised to undergo can range from simple blood tests and imaging tests to advanced genetic testing, biopsies, and other screenings. For example, for women over 40 years of age, a mammogram might be important, and for those over 50, a colonoscopy might be recommended. Hence, it is important to understand what the different types of cancer diagnosis test in Mohali are, what they detect, and who are the people that need them. In this article, we will discuss the same in detail, so that every person can approach their lives with more confidence, information, and awareness.

What is Cancer Screening?

Cancer screening test​ near me are the tests that are used to check for the signs of cancer before the onset of symptoms in a person. These tests are highly advantageous in detecting cancers early, when they are the easiest to treat and cure. Sometimes, these screenings can also detect precancerous changes in the body of a patient before the cancer starts. In such cases, cancer can be prevented. Most people start getting their screenings for various types of cancers after the age of 40.  Early detection is the best way to treat and cure cancer. Hence, these screening tests are very important, especially for people who fall into the category of high-risk groups. Apart from this, there are certain preventive cancer screening tests that are recommended to people, including breast cancer, cervical cancer, and colon cancer.

What are some of the most common cancer screening tests?

1. Breast Cancer Screening: For women who are at an average risk of developing it, screenings for breast cancer should typically begin at the age of 40. Breast cancer screenings are done once every two years, and they have proved to be highly beneficial in detecting breast cancer early, decreasing the cases of deaths related to breast cancer, and increasing the number of patients who have been cured completely.
2. Cervical Cancer Screenings: These tests start at the age of 21. Apart from detecting cancer in its earliest stages, this test can also identify precancerous cells that might progress to cancerous cells with time. It can also reveal the signs of an HPV infection that can potentially lead to cervical cancer. Tests like Pap Smear and the HPV test are used for cervical cancer screenings, which detect cancer or precancerous cells and high-risk strains of HPV that can cause cervical cancer, respectively. 
3. Colon Cancer Screenings: People who fall in the average-risk category of colon cancer should get their colon cancer test​​ started at the age of 45. These screenings can detect colon cancer while it is still curable. It helps to detect non-cancerous polyps that might become cancerous in the future. Such polyps can then be removed by specialist healthcare professionals. Colon cancer screening is usually done with the help of a colonoscopy every 10 years. There are some other tests which can be recommended to the patient, as per their family history and other specific details such as lifestyle and other factors.
4. Lung Cancer Screening: People who have had a history of smoking and are between the ages of 50 to 80 years can be advised to have a lung cancer screening test. This is an imaging test that detects the possibility of lung cancer.
5. Apart from the above-mentioned tests, certain other screenings like oral cancer test, prostate cancer test, and skin cancer screenings are also common. Men between the ages of 55 to 69 years of age might be advised to have a prostate cancer screening test.

What is a PET-CT scan?

Positron Emission Tomography or PET Scans, combined with Computed Tomography or CT Scans, are one of the most advanced and widely used imaging tests used to diagnose cancer. A PET-CT scan not only shows the structure of the internal organs of the body, but also detects any kind of functional abnormalities in them. It is one of the most accurate tests used to detect cancer and identify its stage. It can also be used to monitor whether an ongoing treatment of cancer is effective or not.

These cancer diagnosis test near me do not mean that a person needs to panic. Instead, they empower the person so that they can live a more confident, comfortable, and healthy life. As discussed above, not all people require all the tests, it is for the expert healthcare professionals to decide, based on the medical and family history of a person, whether they need any of the above-mentioned tests or not.

If you are looking for the Best Hospital for cancer detection test or the best cancer diagnosis test in Mohali, Sohana Hospital might just be the right option for you. Sohana Hospital Mohali hosts a rare combination of the World’s Most Advanced Technology and North India’s leading Cancer Specialists who provide the most comprehensive and holistic care for different kinds of cancers. From diagnostics to treatment and rehabilitation, the dedicated staff and highly qualified experts at Sohana Cancer Research Institute make sure that every patient gets the best standard of healthcare. With the will of the patients and the expertise of the doctors, Cancer can be conquered!