05 February 2013| last updated at 08:34PM
HERE is a list of cancer screenings available for early detection of the disease.
BREAST CANCER
• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE) about every three years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and above.
• Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any change promptly to their doctors. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women, from their 20s.
COLORECTAL CANCER AND POLYPS
Beginning at age 50, both men and women should follow one of these testing schedules:
• Colonoscopy every 10 years or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every five years.
• Yearly faecal occult blood test.
CERVICAL CANCER
• Women who are sexually active should go for a pap smear test every three years.
ENDOMETRIAL (UTERINE) CANCER
• At the time of menopause, all women should be told about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors.
• Some women — because of their history — may need to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy.
PROSTATE CANCER
• At age 50, men should talk to a doctor about the pros and cons of testing so they can decide if testing is the right choice for them. If men decide to be tested, they should do the PSA blood test with or without a rectal exam.
CANCER-RELATED CHECK-UPS
• For people aged 20 or older having periodic health exams, a cancer-related check-up should include health counselling and, depending on the age and gender, exams for cancers of the thyroid, oral cavity, skin, lymph nodes, testes, and ovaries, as well as for some non-malignant (non-cancerous) diseases.
source: www.cancer.org
Source: Early detection the key
