How to be tested for cancer? How much does it cost to check for cancer and where can I check?

Recently, oncological diseases have become very common. The causes of pathologies are different. Mainly it is a genetic predisposition, poor quality food, bad ecology. If you suspect a cancer, experts recommend visiting the hospital and undergo a diagnosis.

Some key recommendations

How to be tested for cancer? Which doctor should I contact? These and many other questions are asked by people who suspect oncology at home. First of all, you should register for a consultation with a specialist. A doctor who deals with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer diseases is called an oncologist. How can you check for cancer during the examination? The doctor will conduct an examination, and will assign laboratory tests. If necessary, the doctor will recommend to undergo ultrasound, computed tomography, mammography and other diagnostic procedures, depending on the alleged localization of the tumor. Of great importance are the results of laboratory studies, since it is possible to check for the presence of cancer in the early stages by passing the usual analysis to oncomarkers. After all these activities, the specialist decides on the need for a biopsy. During the procedure, a small area of tissue is taken for histological examination. This method, according to many experts, is the most accurate method of diagnosis. A biopsy can reveal which cells the tumor consists of. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so it does not cause any particular inconvenience. After all these manipulations it will become clear whether a cancerous tumor is present or not.

How often should I be examined?

Specialists note that at very early stages, when the size of the tumor is small and it does not poison the body with the products of its decay, a false diagnosis can be made. If the problem continues to bother, you can go through the examination again. Since it is possible to check up for cancer during routine preventive examination, it is advisable to visit doctors once a year before the age of forty, and after - twice a year (in the absence of complaints). Preventive examinations will reveal pathologies at stages that are amenable to therapy.

Why do I need diagnostics?

The on-time examination for oncology is able not only to preserve human life, but also to prevent a decrease in its quality. That's why experts recommend taking examinations and taking tests regularly. In addition, it should be noted that the diagnosis significantly increases the effectiveness of treatment in the event of such a need. Thanks to the latest achievements in the field of medicine, pathology is detected as quickly and accurately as possible. From patients only attention to the state of one's health is required.

Where it is possible to be checked up on a cancer?

In addition to the usual polyclinics and hospitals, there are specialized oncological centers. Almost every major city in Russia has such institutions. In Moscow, for example, an examination for oncology is carried out in the European Clinic (the Center for Contemporary Oncology and Surgery, the Tula metro station), the City Cancer Hospital No. 62 (Tushinskaya metro station), the Soyuz (Sokolniki, Electrozavodskaya metro clinic) and others Centers. Where to check out the cancer for children? In Moscow in 2011, a specialized scientific oncological center of federal significance was opened. This clinic is considered the most technologically equipped and large in Europe.

Who should take the test?

First of all, a visit to a doctor-oncologist is recommended to people who fall into a "risk group". They include women and men over 55, who often drink alcohol and smokers who are overweight. The examination should also be carried out by those who abuse fast food, stay in a solarium and in the sun, without using sunscreen. Recommended for examination and people with low physical activity. Equally important is hereditary (genetic) predisposition. If someone from a family has cancer diagnosed, then you should pay close attention to your health and regularly visit a specialist.

What is a survey?

Pre-cancerous condition is a precursor of the development of malignant neoplasm. It must be identified in a timely manner. Today, it is more than possible, as it is possible to check up on a cancer both in a usual clinic, and in the specialized center. For more accurate detection of pathology, the most modern equipment is currently used, highly qualified specialists work. The examination, as a rule, lasts one or two days. It is performed on an outpatient basis with careful monitoring by a physician. According to the results of the survey, the patient receives full information about his state of health. The specialist will also answer all questions of interest. If necessary, treatment is immediately given, the patient receives prescriptions and recommendations. How much does it cost to get tested for cancer? Prices for the study depend on the list of tests and diagnostic activities that the doctor will recommend. On average, a general examination costs from 1.5 to 3 thousand dollars.

What tests should I take on oncology?

Currently, for almost all common types of cancer, effective diagnostic methods have been developed. In particular, the doctor can prescribe a mammogram. This is a study of the mammary gland. To detect a malignant neoplasm in the uterus, a cytological analysis of the smear is recommended. To diagnose the pathology of the colon, examine the feces with a test for hidden blood. General diagnostics of oncology can include several activities. In particular, it is recommended to donate blood (detailed analysis), undergo MRI, computed tomography (positron emission), colonoscopy and gastroscopy, biopsy. The specialist may also prescribe bone marrow aspiration and laparoscopic examination. Ultrasound is of particular importance in the diagnosis of oncology. This procedure often gives an idea of the dynamics of the development of pathology. Usually a biopsy is performed under the control of CT or ultrasound. In addition, in many cases, cytogenetic, immuno-enzymatic studies and thoracoscopy (biopsy and visual examination of the thoracic organs) are prescribed.

What does the blood test do?

With oncology, the results of a laboratory test can be ambiguous. However, a blood test is necessary. The detailed analysis allows to determine the level of oncomarkers for each organ, to establish the presence or absence of cancer cells in the body. Thanks to all the above measures, the specialist determines the degree and nature of damage to systems and organs, as well as the presence of foci and metastases. As a result, the necessary treatment scheme for each patient is selected individually.

Diagnosis of oncology of chest and digestive tract

One of the most common oncological diseases today is lung cancer. If you suspect a tumor, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible. How to be tested for lung cancer? What diagnostic measures can a specialist assign? The examination includes instrumental examination of the chest - radiography. Pictures show the presence of a node or neoplasm. Invisible on the roentgenogram pathological changes of a small size are recognized during computed tomography. If the patient has a cough accompanied by the separation of sputum, then it is examined under a microscope. A necessary study is a biopsy of the lung tissue. It can be carried out in various ways. In particular, the doctor can take a sampling of a piece of lung tissue during a bronchoscopy - checking the state of the lungs using a special thin tube (bronchoscope) with a light source. Bronchoscope is injected directly into the cavity of the organ through the larynx. A biopsy can also be performed by an open method. Thoracoscopy is performed through an incision of a small size, which is done at the base of the neck. The doctor enters the mediastinum instruments and takes the tissues of the lymph nodes for analysis. How to be tested for bowel cancer? If there is a suspicion of a malignant neoplasm in this area of the digestive tract, a colonoscopy is prescribed. Using a special probe, the doctor examines the internal surface of the intestine and assesses its condition.

Conclusion

The opinions of specialists regarding the preventive diagnosis of oncological pathologies are very ambiguous. Screening studies significantly reduce mortality among the general population. This is mainly due to the ability to diagnose the early stages of pathology with modern equipment. In this case, the probability of an adequate treatment, the patient getting rid of a neoplasm is great. However, there is also evidence that a lot of benign neoplasms are revealed in the process of preventive research. As a result, invasive diagnostic methods are used in which patients are exposed to unnecessary risk. Today there is no clear and precise answer to the question of the need for preventive examinations. At present, attempts are being made to substantiate the scientific advantages of each existing method and to establish for which groups it is necessary to conduct screening activities in the first place.