Cancer Screening FAQs

The purpose of cancer screening is to detect pre-cancer or early-stage cancer in asymptomatic individuals, that is individuals with no cancer related health issues identified.

Screening is a check-up process or a medical service available to the public to ensure the detection of any form of cancerous cell generation in any part of the body, before it turns into an actual cancer, like a prevention or a safe option. Early diagnosis is a test conducted to find cancer in its early stages, on those individuals that have started to show some symptoms of cancer.

Just like any other health check-ups, regular screening for cancers, as recommended by your doctor, gives high chances to minimize cancer development and hence increases your chances to lead a healthy cancer free life.

Sometimes test results can indicate issues even though your body is free of cancer, which is known as false positive. Such false positive results may lead to more tests and diagnosing procedures that may lead to side effects, not to mention the mental stress and anxiety it puts you through. Sometimes the tests may not be able to detect any issue, despite the cancer that already exists in your body; this is called a false negative, which might be dangerous, for the possibility of early detection surpasses the time limit, and the cancer might advance, undetected.

Anyone with a genetic or a family history of cancers must go for cancer screening at regular intervals, as recommended by your doctor. Also individuals with average risk factors based on age, lifestyle choices, and personal health can benefit from cancer screening programs.

Breast cancer, ovarian and cervical cancers, endometrial cancer, vaginal cancer are some of the gynaecological cancers found in women of Bharat (India).

Cancer screening tests include physical examination of the body for any unusual lumps or signs of disease, and a history check of individual’s habits, lifestyle and illnesses, if any and the treatments taken.

Typically, women above 45 should get mammograms once every year, but with the growing number of breast cancer cases, the government of Bharat (India) is encouraging women to start for cancer screening after 30.

• Swelling of all or part of a breast
• Breast or nipple pain
• Nipple retraction (turning inward)
• Nipple discharge (other than breast milk)
• Swollen lymph nodes under the arm or near the collar bone
• The above symptoms may also be caused by non-cancerous breast

The above symptoms may also be caused by non-cancerous breast conditions. However, it is always best to consult a specialist and go for a screening for better diagnosis.

Use your fingers with light, medium and firm pressure, to pad around your complete breast area and armpits to check for any lumps, thickenings, or hardened knots. Also squeeze your nipples to check for any discharge. But it is always recommended to consult a specialist or go for a screening test for better diagnosis.