Cancer Screening Tests That May Help Detect Cancer at an Earlier Stage

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Not All Cancer Screening Tests Are Foolproof

Although many screening tests have been shown to save lives, there’s debate in the medical community about cancer screening.

Not all screening tests are useful, and many can pose risks. For instance, the PSA test is controversial because it sometimes detects prostate cancers that are so slow-growing as not to be life-threatening, and sometimes prompts overtreatment.

Some screening tests can produce inaccurate results, such as a “false positive” or a “false negative.” A false positive means your test comes back abnormal even though you don’t have cancer. This can cause unnecessary worry and anxiety. A false negative result comes back normal when you really have cancer. This can lead to delayed treatment, and sometimes, a worse prognosis.

Another potential issue with early screening is that finding the cancer may not improve a person’s health or the chance of a cure.

Discuss the benefits and risks of cancer screening with your doctor.

The Takeaway

There are many different types of cancer screening tests — including X-rays, physical exams, and blood tests — which allow doctors to look for cancer at their earliest, most treatable stages. People with more risk factors for certain cancers may need to be screened starting at a younger age than people who have an average risk for cancers. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of cancer screening, including which test is right for you.

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