What Are a Few of The Typical Cancer Screenings That Are Suggested For Women?

Regular screenings can greatly help in detecting and even treating cancers early, much before they can spread in the body. A number of healthcare facilities now offer cancer screening for detecting different kinds of cancers in women. Make sure to get all the necessary information about cancer screening tests by discussing the same with the health care provider, who can help in creating a good screening schedule for cancer that is most appropriate for the patient. 

Here are some of the most common cancer screening tests recommended for women:

• Breast Cancer – cancer screening can detect this cancer before the disease has begun to spread in the body. Mammogram is one of the most general methods for doctors to screen for breast cancer. X-rays are used for taking pictures of various angles inside a woman's breasts. In some cases, mammography is able to detect anomalies that will need a biopsy to see if they are cancerous or not. Women in different age groups will have different cancer screening test recommendations. For women having a family history of breast cancer, mammography as well as some other screenings may be needed. Another way for checking breast cancer is self-examination.

• Lung Cancer – One of the most dangerous cancers in women who are smokers. Health care providers will find signs for lung cancer with the help of cancer screening called a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan. X-rays are used to create images of the lungs. Women should surely get an LDCT scan done at least once a year in case of the following:

• Women who are between the age group 50 to 80 years

• Those who are smokers presently, with a twenty pack-year smoking history, or have quit recently within the last few years. 

• Colorectal Cancer – It is also one of the most common cancers in women. The disease usually begins with the growth of polyps in the colon. Some cancer screening tests will help to identify them before they can turn cancerous and while they are in the early stages. Colonoscopy is a kind of cancer screening where the doctor examines the entire colon as well as rectum and may remove polyps from the colon and send them to get examined for cancer signs. Another kind of screening is flexible sigmoidoscopy where the doctor may examine only a part of the colon. Faecal tests also watch out for blood in the stool because colon cancers may result in bleeding. Women can get the first colorectal cancer screening test at 45 years of age although some might need it earlier.

• Cervical Cancer – This cancer will start from the cervix area. With one of cancer screening tests, the doctor will be able to find any anomalies in the changing cells. A common test is a Pap Smear. The doctor will remove some cells from the cervix and test them for cancer. There is also the Human papillomavirus (HPV) test which checks if a woman is infected with HPV which causes cervical cancer. The doctor will be able to recommend the best cancer screenings for women, as per factors like age, test history, as well as the chances of getting cancer.

• Skin cancer - Regular checks are the best way to detect skin cancers early. Women who have suffered from the disease in the past or have a family history should consult the doctor to understand the frequency of getting a skin exam. The doctor searches for moles or any other growths on the skin that can be cancerous.

Takeaway

Women are less likely to get affected from cancer if they go for cancer screenings at regular intervals. In this article, we have written about some of the most common cancer screening tests that are helpful for women.  It is useful to consult with doctors who can recommend the starting time as well as the intervals to get the best possibility of detecting cancer in the early stages when it is easily treatable.