Cancer is a disease that damages your DNA and then makes your cells grow in a rapid, out of control way. This eventually leads to the formation of a malignant (cancerous) tumour. Cancer is not easy to spot but there are some tell tale symptoms including lumps and unexplained weight loss. If you have any reason to suspect that you have cancer then you should go and get yourself tested by your doctor. In this article I will be discussing five of the cancer tests that they may perform.
1) PHYSICAL EXAMINATION:- This is normally the first test for cancers where there are obvious physical symptoms. For example, the first test for prostate cancer usually involves your doctor examining your prostate with a gloved finger. However, it can also be used to test for cancers with less obvious physical symptoms. For example, your doctor may do test for lung cancer by listening to any coughs that you have.
2) X-RAY:- This cancer test allow your doctor to build a picture of the inside of your body. They can then use this picture to look for any abnormalities that could potentially be cancerous tumours. For example, lung cancer can sometimes be identified from lumps that are identified on an x-ray.
3) COMPUTERISED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) SCAN:- This test involves using multiple X-rays to build a 3D picture of the inside of your body. This can then allow your doctor to identify any abnormalities that an X-ray may have missed.
4) ENDOSCOPY:- This cancer test involves using an instrument called an endoscope (a small, thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end) to investigate any abnormalities more closely. For example, your doctor may put an endoscope down your throat to investigate potential lung cancers up close.
5) ULTRASOUND:- This test involves using sound waves to build a picture of the inside of your body. In certain situations an ultrasound is more useful than an x-ray or a CT scan because it reveals whether any abnormalities are fluid (and none cancerous) or solid (and potentially cancerous).
I hope this article has given you a greater insight into the different cancer tests that are available to you. If you have any reason at all to believe that you may have contracted cancer then you should go and see your doctor about testing. Cancer is much more treatable if caught early and the above tests give you a much greater chance of catching it while it is still treatable.
Whilst every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative, it is intended for general information only. Cancer is a very serious, life threatening condition and you should discuss any concerns, treatments or lifestyle changes fully with your doctor.
Author Resource:-
Tom Parker owns and operates a number of useful fitness resources and websites. You can learn more about cancer testing and get a free fitness tip delivered to your email inbox every day for a full year by visiting his websites.
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