A complete analysis of the top ten tumor early screening projects! How far are you from cancer?

Modern medical research shows that many types of tumors often have no obvious symptoms in the early stages, so it becomes crucial to detect these potential health problems through regular screening. Early tumor screening is to detect possible tumors in the body through a series of scientific and effective detection methods before the obvious symptoms of cancer appear. Early tumor screening is like installing a "perspective eye" on the body, which can detect it when the tumor is still small and easy to treat, greatly improving the cure rate and prolonging survival time.

According to data released by the National Cancer Center, there will be 4.8247 million new cases of malignant tumors in my country in 2022, and the overall incidence rate in men is higher than that in women. The top ten cancers with the highest incidence rates are: lung cancer, colorectal cancer, thyroid cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer. How to screen these common cancers early? The authoritative expert group of Peking University People's Hospital will explain it to you in detail.

Lung cancer

1. High-risk groups

• Age ≥ 50 years
• History of smoking (smoking pack-years ≥ 20 packs/year, less than 15 years of quitting smoking is also counted)
• Long-term living or working with smokers
• Suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• History of occupational exposure (such as asbestos, radon, etc.)
• Family history of lung cancer

2. Early screening projects

Chest low-dose spiral CT: It is currently the preferred method for early screening of lung cancer. Compared with conventional CT, low-dose spiral CT has a lower radiation dose, but the detection effect is not inferior. It can detect small nodules and fibrous foci in the lungs early, providing valuable time for early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer.

Expert Tip: Quitting smoking is a key measure to prevent lung cancer. At the same time, improving indoor air quality and reducing exposure to harmful substances are also important ways to prevent lung cancer. It is very necessary for high-risk groups to undergo chest low-dose spiral CT screening once a year.

Colorectal cancer

1. High-risk groups

• Family history and genetic history of colorectal cancer
• History of inflammatory bowel disease (including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) and intestinal polyps
• Symptoms such as lower abdominal pain, blood in stool, mucus in stool, and changes in defecation
• Dietary habits such as high fat, high calories, and low dietary fiber

2. Early screening projects

Fecal occult blood test: It is the initial screening method for early screening of colorectal cancer. By detecting whether there is potential blood in the stool, it can indicate that there may be abnormalities in the colon.

Colonoscopy: For patients with positive fecal occult blood test or high-risk groups, colonoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosing colorectal cancer. It can directly observe the situation inside the colon and perform tissue biopsy when necessary.

CT colonography: It is a non-invasive examination method used to evaluate the structure of the colon. Although it cannot completely replace colonoscopy, it can be used as a supplement to colonoscopy.

Expert Tips: Maintaining healthy eating habits, increasing dietary fiber intake, and reducing the intake of high-fat and high-protein foods are important measures to prevent colorectal cancer. At the same time, adults over 50 years old should undergo a colonoscopy every 10 years, but for people with a family history or personal medical history, regular screening is recommended in advance.

Thyroid cancer

1. High-risk groups

• People who have been exposed to radiation in their head and neck as a child
• People with a family history of thyroid cancer
• Patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia, etc.

2. Early screening projects

Thyroid ultrasound examination: It is the preferred method for early screening of thyroid cancer. Ultrasound examination can clearly show the morphology and structure of the thyroid gland and detect potential thyroid nodules and cancer foci.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy: For suspicious nodules found by ultrasound examination, fine needle aspiration biopsy is the gold standard for confirming thyroid cancer. By puncturing the nodule with a fine needle and extracting cells for pathological examination, it can be determined whether the nodule is benign or malignant.

Expert Tips: Screening for thyroid cancer should be carried out with caution to avoid overdiagnosis and treatment. For patients with confirmed thyroid cancer, a personalized treatment plan should be developed according to the condition.

Liver cancer

1. High-risk groups

• People infected with hepatitis B or C virus
• Excessive drinkers
• People with a history of cirrhosis
• People with a family history of liver cancer

2. Early screening projects

Abdominal ultrasound: It is the preferred method for early screening of liver cancer. Through abdominal ultrasound, the condition of the liver can be observed visually and potential liver cancer lesions can be found.

Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test: AFP is one of the specific markers of liver cancer. By detecting the AFP level in serum, the patient's risk of liver cancer can be assessed.

CT, MRI and other imaging examinations: For patients with positive abdominal ultrasound or AFP test, CT, MRI and other imaging examinations can further confirm the diagnosis of liver cancer.

Expert Tips: Hepatitis B vaccination is an important measure to prevent liver cancer. At the same time, avoiding long-term heavy drinking, controlling weight, and actively treating chronic diseases such as diabetes can also help reduce the risk of liver cancer. For high-risk groups, liver cancer screening should be performed regularly. It is recommended that people at high risk of liver cancer should undergo abdominal ultrasound and AFP testing every 6 months.

Gastric cancer

1. High-risk groups

• Family history of gastric cancer
• History of gastric ulcer, chronic atrophic gastritis, etc.
• Helicobacter pylori infection
• Symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and tarry stools

2. Early screening projects

Gastroscopy: It is the preferred method for early screening of gastric cancer. Through gastroscopy, you can visually observe the condition of the gastric mucosa and find potential precancerous lesions and cancer cells.

Helicobacter pylori detection: Helicobacter pylori is one of the main pathogens that cause gastric cancer. Through methods such as C13 or C14 breath tests, you can find out whether the patient is infected with Helicobacter pylori.

Blood tests: Tumor marker tests such as CA-724, CEA, and CA242 can be used as an auxiliary means of early screening for gastric cancer. However, tumor marker tests cannot directly diagnose gastric cancer, but can only provide a basis for further examination.

Expert Tips: Maintaining good eating habits, reducing the intake of pickled foods and processed meats, and increasing the intake of fresh vegetables and fruits can help reduce the risk of gastric cancer. At the same time, regular gastroscopy can help detect gastric cancer early.

Breast cancer

1. High-risk groups

• Family history of breast cancer
• History of breast diseases (such as breast hyperplasia, breast fibroadenoma, etc.)
• Marital and childbearing history (such as no childbearing, late childbearing, no breastfeeding, etc.)
• Menstrual history (such as early menarche, late menopause, etc.)
• Irregular breast pain
• Abnormal nipple secretions

2. Early screening projects

Breast ultrasound: It is one of the preferred methods for early screening of breast cancer. It can clearly show the structure of breast tissue and find lumps and abnormal echo areas in the breast. For women with dense breast tissue, the screening effect of breast ultrasound is particularly significant.

Breast mammography: For women over 40 years old or women with loose breast tissue, breast mammography is also an effective screening method. It can detect abnormal changes such as microcalcification and structural distortion in the breast.

Expert Tips: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, increasing exercise, and reducing the intake of high-calorie foods can help reduce the risk of breast cancer. For high-risk groups, such as women with a family history of breast cancer, regular breast screening should be performed. If necessary, a breast MRI examination can also be performed to provide more detailed information.

Esophageal cancer

1. High-risk groups

• Age ≥ 45 years old
• Living in high-incidence areas (such as Henan, Hebei, Shanxi, etc.)
• Having a family history of the disease
• Having bad eating habits (such as hot and scalding diets, high-salt diets, pickled foods, etc.)
• Smoking, heavy drinking, etc.

2. Early screening projects

Endoscopy: It is the preferred method for early screening of esophageal cancer. Through endoscopic examination, the condition of the esophageal mucosa can be observed intuitively, and potential precancerous lesions and cancer cells can be found.

Expert Tips: Avoiding long-term smoking and drinking, reducing the intake of overheated or irritating foods, and increasing the intake of vegetables and fruits can help reduce the risk of esophageal cancer. For high-risk groups, regular esophageal cancer screening should be performed.

Cervical cancer

1. High-risk groups

• Family history of cervical cancer
• Marriage and childbearing history (such as early marriage, early childbearing, multiple births, etc.)
• Menstrual history (such as prolonged menstruation, increased menstrual flow, etc.)
• History of unclean sexual life
• Abnormal leucorrhea
• Vaginal bleeding (such as contact bleeding, postmenopausal bleeding, etc.)

2. Early screening projects

Thin cervical cytology test (TCT) is currently the preferred method for early screening of cervical cancer. TCT can detect subtle changes in the cervical epithelium and find potential precancerous lesions and cancer cells.

Human papillomavirus test (HPV): HPV is the main pathogen that causes cervical cancer. HPV testing can be used to understand whether a woman is infected with high-risk HPV virus, thereby assessing the risk of cervical cancer.

Experts remind: Even if the cervical cancer vaccine is injected, it does not mean that cervical cancer screening can be completely exempted. Women who have sex should undergo TCT examination and HPV testing once a year.

Prostate cancer

1. High-risk groups

• Age ≥ 50 years old
• Those with a family history of prostate cancer
• Those with a history of chronic inflammation
• Those with symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and hematuria

2. Early screening projects

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test: It is the preferred method for early screening of prostate cancer. By detecting the PSA level in serum, the patient's risk of prostate cancer can be assessed.

Digital rectal examination: It is one of the auxiliary means of prostate cancer screening. Through the doctor's palpation, abnormal enlargement and nodules of the prostate can be found.

Prostate ultrasound examination: For patients with positive PSA test or rectal digital examination, prostate ultrasound examination can further confirm the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Expert Tip: For elderly men, prostate cancer screening should be performed regularly. At the same time, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as a reasonable diet and moderate exercise, can also help reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Pancreatic cancer

1. High-risk groups

• Long-term smokers;
• People who like to eat high-fat, high-sugar, high-salt diets, and drink a lot of alcohol for a long time;
• Obese people: People with a high body mass index (BMI), especially when BMI ≥ 35kg/m²;
• Diabetic patients: Especially those with a history of diabetes for more than 10 years;
• Those with a family history: Patients with a family history of pancreatic cancer or tumors;
• Patients with chronic pancreatitis

2. Early screening projects

Ultrasound examination: It can provide a preliminary understanding of the pancreatic structure and determine whether there are obvious masses or abnormalities. This method is simple and non-invasive, and is a common means of initial screening.

CT scan: Computed tomography (CT) can provide more detailed images of the pancreas, which helps to identify the size and location of pancreatic tumors, especially enhanced CT and three-dimensional spiral CT reconstruction, which are more effective.

MRI examination: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can further evaluate the details of the pancreas, which is of great significance for determining bile duct obstruction and the location and cause of obstruction.

Ultrasound endoscopy: The ultrasound probe attached to the endoscope penetrates deep into the stomach and duodenum, allowing a clearer observation of pancreatic tissue.

Tumor marker detection: such as CA19-9, CEA, etc., although the specificity is not extremely high, it is often elevated in pancreatic cancer patients and can be used as an auxiliary diagnostic tool.

Experts remind: Although pancreatic cancer ranks tenth, it is a "tough guy". Because of its extremely high malignancy and hidden onset, it is known as the "king of cancer". When you find symptoms such as lower abdominal discomfort and bloating, you must go to the hospital for examination in time.

Early screening misunderstandings

Early screening of tumors is of great significance for the early detection of tumors, but there are still some misunderstandings in actual operation.

1. Overscreening: Some people think that the more screening, the better. In fact, overscreening may lead to unnecessary anxiety and further examinations, increasing economic burden and psychological pressure.

2. Ignoring screening results: Although some people have done screening, they do not pay attention to the screening results and do not follow the doctor's advice for further examination or treatment, thus missing the best time for treatment.

3. Blindly believe in the screening results: Some people believe that the screening results must be accurate, ignoring the possible false positive and false negative results of the screening.

How to conduct early cancer screening scientifically?

1. Understand your own health status: Before screening, you should fully understand your health status and family medical history, and choose appropriate screening items and screening frequency according to your personal risk situation.

2. Choose a formal institution: Choose a formal medical institution and a professional doctor. Formal institutions have advanced screening equipment and professional medical teams to ensure the accuracy and reliability of screening.

3. Follow the doctor's advice to choose the appropriate screening method: The doctor will develop a personalized screening plan based on the individual's specific situation, and explain the significance and suggestions of the screening results.

4. Regular screening and follow-up: The frequency of screening should be determined based on the individual's health status and the doctor's advice. Generally speaking, high-risk groups should be screened regularly to detect and treat potential tumors in a timely manner.

5. Maintain a healthy lifestyle: In addition to regular screening, you should also maintain a healthy lifestyle, such as quitting smoking and limiting alcohol, eating a balanced diet, exercising in moderation, and being in a good mood, to reduce the risk of cancer and improve the quality of life.