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One
way to detect cancer early is to have regular health checkups and
screening tests. These tests are done regularly on healthy people
who show no signs or symptoms of cancer and can often find cancer
when it is still at an early stage. In most cases, finding a cancer
early increases the chances of successful treatment.
Various screening tests may involve physical examination, blood tests,
urine tests, endoscopy etc. One common screening test for breast cancer
in women is the mammogram, which takes an X-ray of a woman's breast
to detect any lumps and tumours growing in it. The mammogram can detect
lumps the size of a pinhead.
People who have a strong family history of a specific cancer should
go for screening more often than others because they tend to have
a higher chance of developing that type of cancer compared to others
of the same age and sex.
It is important that people consult their doctor to learn their own
personal level of risk and take advantage of any screening tests or
programs that might help them to detect cancer early.
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