Screening is the detection of cancer before an individual develops symptoms.This helps detect cancer in its early stages.Early detection of abnormal tissue or cancer may make treatment easier.By the time symptoms appear, the cancer may have already started to spread.
Scientists are further studying which people are more likely to have certain types of cancer.At the same time, they are studying whether our lifestyles and surroundings can cause cancer.This information helps doctors recommend who should be screened for cancer, which screening method should be used, and how often they should be screened.
It is important to remember that if your doctor recommends that you be screened for cancer, he or she does not necessarily think you have cancer.Screening tests are done when you have no symptoms of cancer.
If the screening test results are abnormal, you may need to undergo additional tests to determine if you have cancer.These tests are called diagnostic tests.