Endometrial Cancer Screening (PDQ®): Screening - Patient Information [NCI]-Risks of Endometrial Canc
Endometrial Cancer Screening (PDQ®): Screening - Patient Information [NCI]-Risks of Endometrial Cancer Screening
Screening tests have risks.
Decisions about screening tests can be difficult. Not all screening tests are helpful and most have risks. Before having any screening test, you may want to discuss the test with your doctor. It is important to know the risks of the test and whether it has been proven to reduce the risk of dying from cancer.
General Information About Colon Cancer
Cancer of the colon is a highly treatable and often curable disease when localized to the bowel. Surgery is the primary form of treatment and results in cure in approximately 50% of the patients. Recurrence following surgery is a major problem and is often the ultimate cause of death. Incidence and MortalityNote: Estimated new cases and deaths from colon cancer in the United States in 2014:[1] New cases: 96,830 (colon cancer only). Deaths: 50,310 (colon and rectal cancers combined)...
Read the General Information About Colon Cancer article > >
The risks of endometrial cancer screening tests include the following:
Finding endometrial cancer may not improve health or help a woman live longer.
Screening may not improve your health or help you live longer if you have advanced endometrial cancer or if it has already spread to other places in your body.
Some cancers never cause symptoms or become life-threatening, but if found by a screening test, the cancer may be treated. It is not known if treatment of these cancers would help you live longer than if no treatment were given, and treatments for cancer may have serious side effects.
False-negative test results can occur.
Screening test results may appear to be normal even though endometrial cancer is present. A woman who receives a false-negative test result (one that shows there is no cancer when there really is) may delay seeking medical care even if she has symptoms.
False-positive test results can occur.
Screening test results may appear to be abnormal even though no cancer is present. A false-positive test result (one that shows there is cancer when there really isn't) can cause anxiety and is usually followed by more tests (such as biopsy), which also have risks.
Side effects may be caused by the test itself.
Side effects that may be caused by screening tests for endometrial cancer include:
If you have any questions about your risk for endometrial cancer or the need for screening tests, check with your doctor.
Decisions about screening tests can be difficult. Not all screening tests are helpful and most have risks. Before having any screening test, you may want to discuss the test with your doctor. It is important to know the risks of the test and whether it has been proven to reduce the risk of dying from cancer.
Recommended Related to Cancer
General Information About Colon Cancer
Cancer of the colon is a highly treatable and often curable disease when localized to the bowel. Surgery is the primary form of treatment and results in cure in approximately 50% of the patients. Recurrence following surgery is a major problem and is often the ultimate cause of death. Incidence and MortalityNote: Estimated new cases and deaths from colon cancer in the United States in 2014:[1] New cases: 96,830 (colon cancer only). Deaths: 50,310 (colon and rectal cancers combined)...
Read the General Information About Colon Cancer article > >
The risks of endometrial cancer screening tests include the following:
Finding endometrial cancer may not improve health or help a woman live longer.
Screening may not improve your health or help you live longer if you have advanced endometrial cancer or if it has already spread to other places in your body.
Some cancers never cause symptoms or become life-threatening, but if found by a screening test, the cancer may be treated. It is not known if treatment of these cancers would help you live longer than if no treatment were given, and treatments for cancer may have serious side effects.
False-negative test results can occur.
Screening test results may appear to be normal even though endometrial cancer is present. A woman who receives a false-negative test result (one that shows there is no cancer when there really is) may delay seeking medical care even if she has symptoms.
False-positive test results can occur.
Screening test results may appear to be abnormal even though no cancer is present. A false-positive test result (one that shows there is cancer when there really isn't) can cause anxiety and is usually followed by more tests (such as biopsy), which also have risks.
Side effects may be caused by the test itself.
Side effects that may be caused by screening tests for endometrial cancer include:
- Discomfort.
- Bleeding.
- Infection.
- Puncture of the uterus (rare).
If you have any questions about your risk for endometrial cancer or the need for screening tests, check with your doctor.
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