Every day, more and more people are beating cancer thanks to new developments in cancer research and early detection through cancer screening. Every year, nearly two million new cancer diagnoses are made. Hundreds of thousands of people die, and even though the statistics are alarming, progress is being made and hundreds of thousands of people are surviving a cancer diagnosis.

At the office of Dr. Brent J. Michael, we believe in preventive health care services. Dr. Michael conducts cancer screenings to identify problems early. The earlier developing cancers can be found, the better the chances for recovery in many instances.

Common Cancer Screening Tests

You may not show any signs of a problem or have any symptoms, but screening may reveal early-stage cancer. There are a variety of cancer screen processes for different parts of the body. Simple palpitation can reveal lumps or nodules in some of the soft tissues of the body. Other screening processes test blood or tissue samples for the presence of certain markers that indicate a problem.

The pap smear is a common screen for cervical cancer. Breast cancer is often first revealed through a mammogram. Colon cancer can grow undetected for years, but a colonoscopy can show if there are polyps or lesions in the colon — the prostate-specific antigen test screens for prostate cancer.

Cancer Prevention

Screening for cancer is important for early detection of the disease. Cancer prevention is just as important. There are steps you can take to lower your risk of cancer.

If you are a smoker, you put yourself and others at risk. Tobacco users risk lung cancer and those who chew it risk cancer in the mouth. Dr. Michael can provide you with information and resources on quitting.

Sunbathing has always been a favorite pastime for many people. While you may believe it makes you look healthier, unprotected skin leaves you a candidate for skin cancer. Protecting your skin with sunblock or clothing that does not absorb UV rays lowers the risk.

A healthy diet is also an important part of cancer prevention. Choosing the right foods not only keeps you from putting on the pounds, but it can also help keep your body strong, healthy and fighting disease from the inside out.

Contact Dr. Michael for more information about cancer prevention and cancer screening.