Brain cancer early detection/screening
.Screening
-Tests and exams are used to find a disease, such as cancer, in people who do not have any symptoms
.Early detection
-Using an approach that lets brain cancer get diagnosed earlier than otherwise might have occurred.
Can brain cancer be found early?
-At this time there are no widely recommended tests used to screen for brain tumors.
-Most brain tumors are found when a person sees a doctor because of signs or symptoms they are having.
-In most cases, the patient's survival is determined by their age, the type of tumor, and its location, not by how early it is detected.
- But as with any disease, earlier detection and treatment is likely to be helpful.
-For people with certain inherited syndromes that put them at higher risk for brain tumors, such as neurofibromatosis or tuberous sclerosis, doctors may recommend frequent physical exams and other tests starting when they are young.
-In some cases these tests may find tumors when they are still small.
-Not all tumors related to these syndromes may need to be treated right away, but finding them early may help doctors monitor them so that they can be treated quickly if they begin to grow or cause problems.
- A piece of cotton, a brush, or a small wooden stick is used to gently scrape cells from the cervix and vagina. The cells are viewed under a microscope to find out if they are abnormal.
Who should have a pap smear?
- The first Pap test is recommended at age 21
- Pap testing is suggested every 3 years for most women over age 21.
- More frequent testing may be needed if test results are not normal, or for women with HIV disease or other specific immune system conditions.
- Even if you have had a vaccine for human papillomavirus, you will still need cervical cancer screening.
- A laboratory test used to check DNA (genetic material) for certain types of HPV infection.
- Cells are collected from the cervix and checked to find out if an infection is caused by a type of human papillomavirus that is linked to cervical cancer.
- This test may be done if the results of a Pap smear show certain abnormal cervical cells.
Who should have HPV testing?
- If you are 30 years or older, your doctor may recommend HPV testing in addition to a Pap test.
- If your HPV test and Pap test are negative, repeat testing is not usually needed for five years.
- HPV testing may also be done if the results of your Pap test results are unclear
- Being alert to any signs and symptoms of cervical cancer can also help avoid unnecessary delays in diagnosis.
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