Cancer Screening

What is screening?

Screening is looking for cancer before a person has any symptoms. This can help find cancer at an early stage. When abnormal tissue or cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat. By the time symptoms appear, cancer may have begun to spread.

Scientists are trying to better understand which people are more likely to get certain types of cancer. They also study the things we do and the things around us to see if they cause cancer. This information helps doctors recommend who should be screened for cancer, which screening tests should be used, and how often the tests should be done.

It is important to remember that your doctor does not necessarily think you have cancer if he or she suggests a screening test. Screening tests are given when you have no cancer symptoms.

If a screening test result is abnormal, you may need to have more tests done to find out if you have cancer.

Cancer screening for Gastro-Intestinal cancer and Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic cancers are offered in the clinic. This is usually offered to high risk group of patients or patients above certain age group with other associated risk factors

The screening and diagnostic tests are usually in the form of and are done on the basis of as essential

Liver cancers
(For all patients with Hepatitis B or C and/or Cirrhosis)

1. Blood tests like Liver function test, Hepatitis screen, Alpha feto protein
2. Ultrasound scan or CT scan
3. Colonoscopy and upper GI endoscopy as essential
4. Other tests for metastasis in liver

Gallbladder cancer
(For patients with gallstones and coming from high risk area for gallbladder cancer)

1. Ultrasound scan or CT scan
2. Tumour markers and other blood tests as essential

Pancreatic cancer
(For patients with chronic pancreatitis and or Diabetes Mellitus with recent weight loss)

1. Ultrasound scan or CT scan
2. Tumour markers and other blood tests as essential
3. Additional tests may be needed if patient has pancreatic cysts

Colonic cancers
(For all patients over the age of 50 years)

1. Fecal Occult blood test
2. Colonoscopy
3. Blood tests like FBC and tumour markers
4. Ultrasound scan or CT scan

Gastric cancers

1. Upper GI endoscopy
2. Blood tests like tumour markers
3. Ultrasound scan or CT scan