Diagnosis & Testing

Introduction

The first sign that you could have cancer may come from a routine screening test (such as a mammogram or colonoscopy), a health exam to identify the cause of a symptom or problem, or a procedure to treat another condition. 

If your doctor believes that you could have cancer, he or she will order several different kinds of tests to confirm that you have cancer and not another disease or condition, identify the kind of cancer you have, and find out how far the cancer has spread. After using these tests to diagnose, or identify, your cancer, your doctor might use more tests to find the best treatments for your disease, track your treatment progress, and monitor your overall health.

Explore the links in the column to the right to learn about cancer screening and diagnosis, the various tests you may need, and important questions to ask about your diagnosis and testing.

 

Latest Cancer News

  • May 12, 2008
    Non-invasive Test Effective for Colorectal Cancer Screening
    A new, non-invasive colorectal cancer screening test from Exact Science is now available and supported by the American Cancer Society and other major medical groups. Study results showing the test’s efficacy have been reported in the April 2008 supplement of Gastroenterology.
  • May 12, 2008
    Mammography Can Measure Growth Rate of Breast Cancer Tumor
    New research indicates that screening mammography may provide estimates of breast cancer tumor growth rates. These findings from the Norwegian Breast Cancer Screening Program were recently published in Breast Cancer Research.
  • May 12, 2008
    Fludara® Not Superior to Chlorambucil for Elderly with CLL
    According to results presented at the 2007 annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, the chemotherapy agent Fludara® (fludarabine) does not appear superior to chlorambucil in elderly patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Select news items provided by Reuters Health
More Cancer News

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