Cancers

One of if not the most crucial parts of overcoming cancer is early detection. By catching this ailment in the earliest of stages, you increase the chances of treatment being effective. At New York Medicine Doctors, we know the importance of this. Our team would like to share what cancers a patient should routinely be screened for. 

What Cancers Should You Be Screened For?

Screening for cancer involves checking to see if it is present before symptoms start to form. Doing this allows you to seek treatment should signs begin to point towards its development. The CDC recommends routine screenings for certain cancers, which include the below:

• Breast cancer.
• Cervical cancer.
• Colon cancer.
• Lung cancer.
• Pancreatic cancer. 
• Testicular cancer.
• Prostate cancer.

What Do The Tests Involve?

There are a variety of ways that cancer can be both screened and tested. It typically depends on the type of cancer in question. Sometimes, physical tests such as searching for lumps or evaluating changes in skin color or texture can point to the early stages of development. Imaging and blood tests can also spot any problems.

Is Genetic Testing Right For Me?

As technological advancements continue to fuel the medical community, genetic testing for diseases has begun to pick up steam. If you have a family history of cancer, our team highly recommends going under genetic testing. Doing so allows for testing of markers that point to problems on a genetic level. While genetic testing can be a predictive tool, it also has value after a patient has been diagnosed. Genetic testing can be done on cancerous cells to check for gene mutations, allowing doctors to gain insight into the patient’s prognosis.