Seven common cancer screening methods you should know

Author: Liu Ying, Reviewer: Not provided, Curator: Not provided, Production/Organizational Information: Harbin Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital. Early cancer screening improves cure rates. The article discusses 7 common cancers, screening methods, and advances in detection.

During a press conference on people's livelihoods at the Fourth Session of the Fourteenth National People's Congress, the significance of early cancer screening was emphasized. Liu Ying, the deputy director of the Health Screening Center at the Harbin Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital, explained how to select health screening methods based on various circumstances. Cancer screening employs specialized techniques to detect early lesions in tumors or to identify high-risk factors in individuals, thus aiding in cancer prevention. The "Healthy China 2030" Planning Outline targets a five-year cancer survival rate of 46.6% by 2030, positioning early cancer screening as the most critical method to achieve this goal.

Liu Ying mentioned, "In China, individuals are generally advised to commence basic health examinations at age 35. After age 40, additional specialized tests should be included, referred to as the 1+X examinations. The 'X' encompasses screenings for cancer, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions, infectious diseases, and occupational illnesses. Overall, most prevalent high-incidence tumors can be detected early through specialized cancer screenings."

Commonly occurring tumors include lung cancer, breast cancer, thyroid cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, and esophageal cancer, with different examination methods recommended per cancer type. For lung cancer, low-dose spiral CT screenings are suggested, and individuals over 40 should undergo a CT scan. Breast cancer screenings should be tailored according to age and medical history, choosing between breast ultrasound or a combination of breast mammography; those with a familial tumor history should consider BRCA gene testing. Thyroid cancer requires thyroid ultrasound with elasticity scoring. For liver cancer, liver ultrasound paired with AFP testing is recommended, with individuals who have a hepatitis history advised to screen every six months. For gastrointestinal tumors such as esophageal, stomach, and colorectal cancers, gastrointestinal endoscopy is essential. It is recommended for individuals over 40 to have this examination; if no issues are found, the next exam can be scheduled in five years. If polyps are detected, follow-up examinations are typically mandated within 1-2 or 2-3 years, depending on the nature of the polyps.