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Early Detection / Prevention

The earlier cancer is detected, the greater the chances of a successful outcome to treatment.

Types of early detection:

• Screening tests
• Pre-Cancerous Conditions
• Genetic testing
  this is covered as part of Risk Assessment

Screening Tests

According to the National Cancer Institute an estimated 1,399,790 people in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Less then half will ultimately die of the disease. Screening is beneficial by:

• Studies indicate that some of these deaths (between 3 to 35 percent of them) could have been avoided through screening
• treatment options and survival are related to the disease's stage (which indicates how much a cancer has grown or spread).

Drawbacks
Although most screening tests are noninvasive or minimally invasive, some do present small risks of serious complications. There are occasions when a screening test results in a false-positive, which may lead to anxiety and unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures.

Bottom-line, for nearly all cancers, detecting the cancer at the earliest possible stage increases the likelihood of a better outcome.

Learn more about individual screenings

• Breast Cancer Detection
• Colorectal Cancer Detection and Prevention
• Lung cancer screening
• Melanoma Prevention and Screening
• Prostate Cancer Detection

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Pre-cancerous Conditions

In the past several years, researchers have identified viruses and medical conditions that can lead to the development of cancer. Recently, it has been documented a group of viruses, Human papillomavirus, or HPV, have strains that may, if left untreated, develop into cervical cancer.

Additionally, obesity and acid-reflux have been linked to the development of esophageal cancer.

Learn more

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University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
1500 East Medical Center Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

This site is part of the U-M Health System. The information presented is not a tool for self diagnosis or a substitute for professional care. © 2008 U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center