Despite all the advances in treatment, early detection can probably prevent more cancer deaths than any other approach. If tumors could always be detected and removed when they are tiny, no one would ever have to worry about metastatic disease.
Early detection depends on recognizing cancer's warning signals and receiving prompt medical attention when symptoms appear. But what helps early detection immeasurably is self-examination and simple screening tests performed as part of an annual medical examination.
Self-Examination A simple way to help detect breast cancer early is breast self-examination (BSE). This is a low-risk, noninvasive evaluation that does not involve any radiation exposure. It's estimated that 90 percent of cancerous tumors can be detected by monthly breast self-examination. Training programs that teach women how to perform a full examination have had great success.
Most lumps detected by BSE are not malignant , particularly lumps detected in younger women: However, any lump found by BSE should be examined by a physician promptly so that appropriate further investigations can be done.
Men should also practice self-examination, feeling each testicle every four months to detect any lumps. Although testis cancer is uncommon, it is one of the most common cancers in men aged 20 to 35 and is curable, especially when detected early.
With some training and experience men and women could examine their skin and moles, mouth, thyroid gland, genitals, rectal area and lymph nodes for any suspicious changes, lumps or patches.
