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Early Morning Colon Cancer Tests Work Best
Colon cancer screening exams may be more effective if done very early in the day rather than later, yielding more polyps per patient, says a new study.
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Understanding cancer: diagnosis and treatment
How is cancer diagnosed?
The earlier a cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better the chance of its being cured. Some types of cancer – such as those of the skin, breast, mouth, testicles, prostate and rectum – may be detected by changes you notice yourself or other screening measures before the symptoms become serious. Most cases of cancer are detected and diagnosed after a tumour can be felt or when other symptoms develop. In a few cases cancer is diagnosed incidentally as a result of evaluating or treating other medical conditions.
Diagnosis begins with a thorough physical examination and a complete medical history. Laboratory studies of blood, urine and stool can detect abnormalities that may indicate cancer. When a tumour is suspected, imaging tests such as X-rays, computerised tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound and fibreoptic scope examinations help doctors determine its location and size. To confirm the cancer diagnosis, a biopsy is performed: a tissue sample is surgically removed from the suspected malignancy and studied under a microscope to check for cancer cells.
Colon cancer specialist Nancy Kemeny, MD, explains the role of heredity in colon cancer.
Targeted Therapy for Lung Cancer
