Why cancer screening could save your life

The earlier a cancer patient is diagnosed, the earlier they can start treatment, the better their outcomes are likely to be.

Screenings like mammograms for breast cancer and PSA tests for prostate cancer can identify the disease even before the patient begins to experience symptoms.

What is a PSA test?

Many men are hesitant to have a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test because they believe the process may be uncomfortable or embarrassing. But the test is quick and usually entirely painless.

A PSA test is a blood test and as with any other blood test, you’ll have a small amount of blood drawn from a vein in your arm. The sample will then be tested for raised levels of PSA. This protein, which is produced by the prostate, is usually present in the blood in small amounts. However, PSA levels may increase in someone who has prostate cancer. A PSA test can detect this, making it possible for your doctor to determine the next course of action.

The test is recommended for men aged between 55 and 69, especially if they are at risk of developing prostate cancer. Risk factors include ethnicity (black men are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer), a family history of prostate and/or breast cancer, or being obese.

What happens during a mammogram?

In women, a mammogram is used to screen for breast cancer. It is recommended that you schedule an annual mammogram from the age of 40; from 55, you can have one every second year.

A mammogram appointment takes around 45 minutes, with the technologist usually taking two images of each breast. You may worry that the X-ray will be painful, and it’s true that you may experience discomfort. This is because to obtain the image, the technologist must compress each breast between the plates of the mammography machine. However, this only takes seconds, and with technological advancements, the newer machines can produce the same quality images without as much compression.

“It's important to prepare for your mammogram: be sure to tell the technologist if you think you might be pregnant; if you have detected signs of cancer in your breasts (such as changes in the shape or texture of the skin and lumps); and if you have breast implants,” advises Dr Charleen Muller, an oncologist at Mediclinic Louis Leipoldt. It’s a good idea to skip deodorant on the day and avoiding applying creams, as this is sometimes seen on the X-ray as a white spot and could be mistaken for a mass. Remember, too, that it’s easier to wear a top and pants rather than a dress, as you must remove your top during the X-ray. You may be asked to change into a front-closing hospital gown, with only your panties underneath.

It makes sense to screen early for cancers

According to stopbreastcancer.org, mammograms may reduce the risk of death from breast cancer by 15%. This is largely because mammograms can detect changes in breast tissue even before you notice them yourself – and that’s important, as breast cancer is highly treatable if detected early.

Figures from the National Cancer Registry show the lifetime risk of prostate cancer in South African men is 1 in 15. Although prostate cancer often grows very slowly and may not cause significant harm, some types are aggressive and can spread quickly without treatment, according to CANSA. That’s why early detection is vital and could save your life.