Cancer Detection: Importance of Early Screening

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What is cancer screening?

Cancer screening is a test that looks for early signs of cancer in apparently healthy people with no symptoms. Cancer screening is not the same as tests used by doctors to diagnose and treat cancer. Below are some examples of how spotting cancer early can improve survival.

Why is early detection of cancer important?

Early detection of cancer greatly increases the chances for successful treatment. The 2 components of early detection of cancer are early diagnosis (or downstaging) and screening.

What are the 2 components of early detection of cancer?

The 2 components of early detection of cancer are early diagnosis (or downstaging) and screening. Early diagnosis focuses on detecting symptomatic patients as early as possible, while screening consists of testing healthy individuals to identify those having cancers before any symptoms appear.

Can a blood test detect cancer?

The test is a simple blood test that research has shown is particularly effective at finding cancers that are typically difficult to identify early – such as head and neck, bowel, lung, pancreatic, and throat cancers. It works by finding chemical changes in fragments of genetic code-cell-free DNA (cfDNA) that leak from tumours into the bloodstream.

How can we detect cancer early?

Future screening technologies for early detection of cancer might use nanoneedles or tattoos that report on significant changes of the blood composition, implants containing nanoelements such as carbon nanotubes to report on increased biomarker levels 100, or artificial cells that roam the bloodstream looking for early signs of cancer 101.

What is Cancer Research UK doing to improve early detection & diagnosis?

To unite the fragmented efforts of the early detection and diagnosis network, and to establish a pathway for early detection and diagnosis in the UK, Cancer Research UK consulted extensively with more than 100 expert stakeholders across a broad range of sectors to develop a roadmap for early detection and diagnosis of cancer.

What Is Cancer Detection

1. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/diagnosis-staging/diagnosis
2. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-symptoms/why-is-early-diagnosis-important
3. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer/
4. https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/diagnosis
5. https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/fact-sheets/item/cancer-screening-and-early-detection-of-cancer
6. https://www.england.nhs.uk/2021/09/nhs-launches-world-first-trial-for-new-cancer-test/