George K.
Researchers have been trying to improve the chances of survival for decades. Fortunately, improvements in modern technology and a better understanding of the immune system have made it possible to identify, detect, and prevent many diseases at earlier stages. When cancer is found at an earlier stage, and if coupled with proper treatment, the likelihood of surviving is greater than if it’s discovered late.
This article will talk about some advantages one can get from detecting cancer in the early stages.
The Importance Of Symptoms
Symptoms vary according to the kind of cancer and how it’s developed. But listed below are some of the most common cancers and its symptoms, helping you recognize any possible changes in your body:
- Breast cancer – signs can include a lump in your breast or armpit, swelling, irritation, redness, pain, and even discharge from the nipple that’s not breastmilk.
- Prostate cancer – frequent urination and a burning feeling that occurs during night time, blood in urine, and trouble getting an erection.
- Thyroid cancer – lump and swelling in the neck area, trouble breathing, and swallowing.
- Lung cancer – coughing blood, excessive coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
Although these signs may occur because they’re caused by other infections and diseases, it’s important for you to have a check-up with your doctor if you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, and do the tests needed to detect any health problem that you might have.
Get Tested
There are a number of options that you may want to consider when looking into cancer treatments. One of the first things is whether or not you need invasive treatment. This is something that’s usually performed in the form of surgery, but there are also several types of radiotherapy that can be used as well. That’s why it may be helpful to get an idea of the types of cancer treatments that you may need to treat your specific type of cancer.
In order to make sure that your health is properly monitored, you should consider getting an early diagnosis via a cancer screening test. Fortunately, there are some tests available that detect abnormal changes in cells that may indicate cancer, namely:
- MRI: The most important thing you can do to improve your chances of surviving cancer is to start getting tested via MRI scans through professionals that have proven their quality, such as Ezra. This means getting screened for cancer early on–before any symptoms appear and before the disease has a chance to progress.
MRI uses strong magnetic fields in combination with radio waves to produce a picture of the soft tissue that’s almost impossible to be seen with other imaging tests. If needed, contrast material might be placed in your body. This is because the contrast helps speed the rate at which the soft tissue responds to the waves, creating clearer images. Nevertheless, it’s not a painful procedure and also safe to do as there’s no exposure to radiation. - Computed Tomography (CT scan): This type of scan shows the soft tissue by taking pictures of the internal organs via x-rays, and then converting it into a 3-dimensional picture. During this procedure, a contrast material might be injected through the vein, too. The results will show where the tumor is located and also its shape and size.
- Biopsy: Cancer detection is now made easier with the use of biopsies. During a biopsy, a trained physician would examine the lump or tumor through microscopic and clinical methods. If the physician finds out that the lump or tumor is indeed cancerous, they may request additional tests, such as a CT scan or an MRI, to better assess the abnormalities in the patient’s tissue.
If those tests indicate that cancer is present, the physicians will suggest possible treatments to the patient. It’s just a matter of choosing which treatment will be best for the patient’s condition.
How Early Cancer Detection Can Improve Your Chances Of Survival
The benefits of early cancer diagnosis are well-publicized and widely disseminated. As a result, more people are now aware of the importance of detecting cancer early on, allowing them to prepare themselves for possible life-threatening illnesses.
Studies have shown that individuals who undergo cancer screening and treatment early in the disease experience a significantly lower chance of developing advanced metastatic cancer, as well as a lower mortality rate than those who wait to have their cancers assessed. The reason for this phenomenon is simple: cancer screenings and treatments typically target tumors that are still growing. In other words, by diagnosing cancer in an individual at an earlier stage of tumor growth, doctors can attempt to contain or otherwise prevent the disease from becoming too progressed.
In addition to chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical removal of existing tumors, there are a variety of alternative therapies utilized in the fight against cancer. These alternative therapies include everything from aromatherapy to holistic and naturopathy practices, all of which are aimed at improving the individual’s overall wellbeing.
Benefits of Early Diagnosis
Cancer is a very serious disease that can affect many different parts of your body. As long as diagnosed in the early stages, cancer can be treated effectively and the patient may live a long, productive life.
Early screening also helps reduce the burden of care and the emotional and financial stress that comes with cancer. People who are diagnosed are often at high-risk factors for many other diseases and cancers. Early screening helps identify these risk factors, helping reduce them.
Moreover, early screening reduces the chances of misdiagnosis, which can have a large impact on the treatment of cancer. Misdiagnosis can even become the reason why a patient will spend money on treatments that aren’t apt for the kind of cancer that they have.
Screening helps to identify these problems earlier and can potentially allow a person to choose many different options for treatment.
Conclusion
Cancer is a silent killer that starts out slowly but can become a life-threatening condition if it’s not detected early on. If you’re concerned about the early symptoms of cancer, you should consult with your family doctor or other trusted health professionals.
While most of these tests will require only a simple blood test, others can be completed in an outpatient setting by using special equipment that’s portable and painless.
