Cancer is a disease where cells grow and develop abnormally. Early detection is necessary to enable proper treatment and better prognosis. While the symptoms and signs will vary with the type of cancer, diagnostic testing and screening are necessary in an effort to diagnose the disease at an early stage.
Learning about the diagnosis of cancer can empower you or your loved one to take action towards proper medical treatment. This step-by-step guide will lead you through the common symptoms, medical tests, and examinations that are part of cancer diagnosis.
Getting Acquainted with Cancer and Warning Symptoms
What Is Cancer?
Cancer is brought on by cells that grow abnormally and form a tumor or spread in the tissues surrounding them. Cancer can develop anywhere in the body and extend into the blood or lymph system as well.
General Symptoms of Cancer
Despite the variety of symptoms depending on the nature and spread of cancer, some common warning signs exist, which are as listed below:
- Unexplained loss of weight
- Persistent tiredness
- Swelling or lump in any part of the body
- Changes in the skin (new moles, unhealing soreness)
- Pain that is chronic (especially in the abdomen or bones)
- Bruising or bleeding that is not usual
- Changes in bladder or bowel routine
- Cough or difficulty swallowing that is chronic
Should any of these last for more than several weeks, one should be seen by a doctor.
How Cancer Is Diagnosed
Medical History and Physical Examination
The first step in diagnosing cancer is a physical exam and a complete medical history. A doctor will ask:
- Family history of cancer
- Medical history (past diseases, habits)
- Symptoms and how long they have been present
Physical examination helps in the identification of lumps, swelling, skin changes, or other abnormalities that are cancerous.
Laboratory Tests
There are certain laboratory tests that can identify abnormal chemicals in the urine or blood that can point to cancer.
Complete Blood Count (CBC) – Help find blood cancer like leukemia
Tumor Marker Tests – Test for proteins or substances that cancer cells release (e.g., PSA for prostate cancer, CA-125 for ovarian cancer)
Liver and Kidney Function Tests – Tests if and how the cancer is affecting organ function
Even though laboratory tests alone cannot diagnose cancer, they help doctors decide what to do next.
Imaging Tests
Medical imaging is crucial in the identification of tumors and assessing the size, shape, and location of tumors.
Imaging Tests:
X-rays – Used most often to identify lung or bone cancer
CT Scan (Computed Tomography) – Produces detailed cross-sectional images of the body
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) – Produces detailed images of soft tissues and organs
Ultrasound – Detects tumors in organs like breasts, liver, or reproductive organs
PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography) – Cancer cells are detectable due to their higher rate of metabolism
Biopsy: Gold Standard for Diagnosis of Cancer
The most accurate diagnostic test for cancer is a biopsy. For a biopsy, tissue is sampled and examined through a microscope for the presence of cancer cells.
Types of Biopsies:
Needle biopsy: Thin needle to pull out cells from an organ or mass
Surgical biopsy: A piece of tissue or an entire tumor is removed by a surgeon
Endoscopic Biopsy – A flexible tube with a camera (endoscope) removes tissue samples inside the body
Bone Marrow Biopsy – Diagnoses cancers of the blood, including leukemia and lymphoma
If cancer cells are detected, other tests determine the type, stage, and aggressiveness of the cancer.
Staging and Evaluating Cancer Severity
Once cancer is diagnosed, doctors determine its stage in order to formulate the optimum treatment. Staging is based on:
- Tumor size (T)
- Involvement of lymph nodes (N)
- Metastasis (M) – Whether the cancer has spread to distant organs
Stages of Cancer:
Stage 0 – Local cancer (carcinoma in situ)
Stage I – Tumor is small, without spread
Stage II & III – Large tumor, possibly spread to surrounding lymph nodes
Stage IV – Cancer has reached distant organs (metastatic cancer)
Proper staging enables doctors to choose surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapy as treatment.
Best Practices in Early Detection of Cancer
Routine Cancer Screenings
Routine cancer screening detects cancer before symptoms arise, improving chances of early detection and treatment.
Screenings to Get:
Mammograms – Detects breast cancer (women aged 40 years and above)
Pap Smear & HPV Test – Detects precursors of cervical cancer
Colonoscopy – Screens colon cancer (age 45 and older)
Lung Cancer Screening – Low-dose CT scans in high-risk patients (smokers 50 and older)
PSA Test – Screens prostate cancer risk in men
Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Living a healthy lifestyle, although not technically a test, will eliminate the risks for cancer and will foster overall well-being.
- Eat a balanced diet of abundant fruits, vegetables, and lean protein sources
- Exercise regularly to keep immunity in the high range and be normally weighted
- Don’t smoke and consume alcohol moderately only
- Keep contact with carcinogens like UV radiation and harmful chemicals to a minimum
When to See a Doctor
If you notice continuous or abnormal symptoms, you are advised to get a professional opinion. Early diagnosis does a lot towards the rate of successful treatments, and you are not recommended to self-diagnose. Always consult a health practitioner if there are changes in your health.
The Potential of Early Cancer Detection
The diagnosis of cancer is a mix of medical background, physical exploration, laboratory explorations, radiology, and biopsies. The prognosis is superior to the earlier. Early detection due to frequent checking, self-test, and optimum lifestyle can become the secret behind the detection of cancer at its early curative stage.
Thus, take charge of your health, know more, and let early detection be your priority for a healthier future!