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The early detection and diagnosis of cancer are the most effective ways to improve the odds of surviving the disease.
Therefore, you must discuss your screening options with your doctor to determine which may be most appropriate for you. The best screening method varies depending on the type of cancer and your individual risk of developing it. Here are some of the ways that a medical professional might diagnose cancer.
Physical Examinations
During a physical examination, a doctor might feel any areas of concern on your body. When performing such check-ups, medical professionals will normally search for any suspicious lumps that might indicate a tumour’s presence. They will also check for any other potential warning signs, such as skin discolouration or enlarged organs. These can both be indicative of cancer.
If an abnormality is found, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee it is cancerous or malignant. Therefore, a doctor will likely refer you to a specialist for a more accurate diagnosis of the problem.
Laboratory-Based Testing
Some common forms of laboratory testing include blood and urine samples used by doctors to identify abnormalities that could indicate cancer. One type of cancer that can often be diagnosed using blood tests is leukaemia. If someone is suspected of having this condition, a blood test might reveal an abnormal number of white blood cells.
Imaging
Modern imaging techniques can allow doctors to examine internal organs and bones in a non-invasive manner. Some methods used for internal imaging of tumours include computerised tomography (CT) scans, bone scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, positron emission tomography (PET) scans, ultrasounds and x-rays. These can accurately determine the size and location of tumours in the body, which can help doctors determine the best course of action for cancer treatment.
While such scans are often only provided under specific circumstances, getting a private CT scan for cancer is possible. Full-body CT scan costs in the UK can sometimes be prohibitive, but it is one of the most effective ways of ensuring the early detection and treatment of internal cancers.
Biopsies
The term biopsy refers to the process of collecting a sample of cells from the potentially cancerous growth. These cells are collected by a medical professional and then sent off to a lab to be tested.
Tissue samples can be taken in a few ways. The appropriate method of collecting potentially cancerous cells varies depending on what kind of cancer you are suspected of having and the potential tumour’s location.
As a general rule, biopsies are the only definitive way of proving that the growth is cancerous in nature. Laboratory operatives examine the collected cells under microscopes looking for abnormal cells that do not look uniform or consistent in size.
Conclusion
Overall, doctors will likely use a combination of diagnostic techniques to identify the presence, location and severity of tumours. These range from relatively simple methods like feeling areas of concern or looking for visual changes to more technologically advanced techniques like 3D imaging of the body.
