© 2005-2012 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). All rights reserved worldwide.
Cancer Screening and Prevention
Read articles on how cancer can be found and prevented.
Subscribe to Cancer.Net Features: Cancer Screening and Prevention using RSS
March 18, 2013
A sigmoidoscopy is a screening or diagnostic test that allows a doctor to see inside the lower 20 inches of the sigmoid colon and rectum (also called the large intestine). It is frequently used as a screening test to find polyps, which are small growths that may become cancer. Usually polyps do not cause any symptoms and can only be detected by doing a screening test like a sigmoidoscopy. Removing these polyps may prevent colorectal cancer. It can also be used as a diagnostic test for patients having rectal bleeding, a change in bowel habits, or other symptoms.
March 18, 2013
A biopsy is a medical procedure that, for most types of cancer, is the only way to make a definitive cancer diagnosis, as it provides the most accurate analysis of tissue. Often, doctors will recommend a biopsy after a physical examination or imaging study, such as an x-ray, has identified a possible tumor.
December 14, 2012
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women in the United States. In 2009, the American Cancer Society estimates that more than 70,000 women will die from lung cancer.
November 8, 2012
The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to take control of your health and develop a strategy that will help you reach your goals for the coming year. Here are seven tips to help you have a healthier and happier new year.
October 3, 2012
This article is part of a series on common diagnostic tests that tells you how to prepare for the procedure, what happens during the examination, and what to expect after the test is done. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a diagnostic examination used to detect cancer, determine the stage of cancer, and evaluate the effectiveness of cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
July 23, 2012
A colonoscopy is a diagnostic examination used to look inside the entire large intestine, which plays an important role in the body’s ability to process waste. The colon makes up the first five to six feet of the large intestine, and the rectum makes up the last six inches, ending at the anus.
April 17, 2012
Some veterans of the U.S. armed forces were exposed to substances that were later found to cause cancer. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has identified these substances, such as ionizing radiation and Agent Orange, and has created programs to help veterans receive health care related to the exposure of these substances. This article discusses Agent Orange (used during the Vietnam War), veterans of recent conflicts, and questions to ask the doctor.
April 17, 2012
Some veterans of the U.S. armed forces may have been exposed to substances, such as ionizing radiation and Agent Orange, that are known to cause cancer. Many veterans who were exposed to these agents several decades ago are now at an age where cancer may develop. In this two-part series, read about the link between some agents and cancer, programs to help veterans, and get a list of questions to ask the doctor.
April 17, 2012
Vitamin D is one of several nutrients that the body needs to stay healthy. It may also play a role in reducing the risk of cancer, and several research studies are exploring this link. Cancer.Net talked with Richard Goldberg, MD, to learn more about current research on vitamin D and what people should know.
February 22, 2012
A breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) exam is a diagnostic examination that uses magnetic fields to capture multiple images of the breast tissue, which are combined to create detailed, computer-generated pictures of your breasts. A breast MRI sometimes is used to diagnose and evaluate breast tumors. Under some circumstances, this test may better identify a small mass within a woman's breast than a mammogram or ultrasound, particularly for women with very dense (non-fatty) breast tissue.