Early Cancer Detection is one of the best ways to fight cancer. Detecting changes or a tumour early will increase your chances of successfully treating your cancer, provide you with more treatment options and improve your long-term survival rate.
It is important to understand the signs and symptoms of early cancer. Often, early cancers will present with few or no symptoms at all. Krsnaa Diagnostics has a huge network of cutting-edge diagnostic centres and pathology labs throughout the country, which offer precise diagnostic screening tests.
Early Signs and Symptoms of Cancer
These are not a definite indication of cancer, but if you experience any of the following, you should visit your doctor.
- Weight loss: Losing 5kg or more without changing your diet or exercise regime could be an early sign of pancreatic, stomach, oesophageal or lung cancer.
- Fatigue: Continuous extreme tiredness may indicate blood-related cancers such as leukaemia.
- Lumps: Any painless lump that remains for a prolonged period of time in the breast, testicle, neck, armpit or soft tissue should be checked by a doctor.
- Changes to moles/skin lesions: If your mole changes shape, size, colour or outline, or you have a sore on your skin that does not heal, you should see a doctor.
- Pain: Continuous pain in certain areas of your body such as your head, back or abdomen may indicate early pressure on tissues.
- Changes to bowel/bladder: Chronic constipation, unexplained diarrhoea, blood in the stools or blood in the urine should all be investigated.
- Cough: A cough for 3 weeks or more, or constant hoarseness may indicate issues with your thyroid, throat or lungs.
Diagnostic Tests for Early Cancer Detection
Diagnostic oncology uses a variety of tests including cutting edge imaging, molecular pathology and blood tests to detect tumours.
Molecular & Blood Tests
- Tumour Marker Blood Test: This test looks at specific proteins (markers) in your blood caused by the tumour. These markers can include Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) for prostate cancer, CA-125 for ovarian cancer, CEA for Colorectal Cancer and AFP for liver cancer.
- Full Blood Count & Cytology: This test helps detect abnormal growth of white blood cells, anaemia or markers in the blood which may indicate blood cancer.
- Pap Smear & HPV DNA: A vital test for detecting early changes to cells within the cervix.
Imaging Tests
- Digital Mammography & Breast Ultrasound: Digital imaging allows Radiologists to detect microcalcifications and small masses in the breast.
- CT Scanning: Low-dose CT scans can detect early nodules in the lungs. Contrast-enhanced CT scans can be used to look at the soft tissue organs in the abdomen.
- MRI: This provides excellent detail of the soft tissue and does not use radiation. It is great for imaging the brain, spine, soft tissue and pelvis.
- PET-CT: This combines the anatomical CT scan with nuclear medicine to detect hotspots of tumour activity, tissue cancer and micro metastases.
Krsnaa Diagnostics provides affordable, accessible and precise diagnostic services to detect cancer early in urban, semi-urban and regional centres.
Oncology Diagnostic Services – We provide a full service from basic blood tests for tumour markers and digital mammography to high-end 3T MRI, low-dose CT and PET CT.
Fast Reports using AI – Our AI technology and network of specialist radiologists mean we can give quick and precise results from your scans.
NABL Accredited Labs – Our pathology labs are NABL accredited, meaning we have strict quality assurance protocols in place to provide precise cytology reports.
Conclusion
Being aware of the signs and symptoms can save lives. Seeing your doctor as soon as you notice anything unusual and getting the correct diagnostic tests for your age will help detect any possible issues. Krsnaa Diagnostics is dedicated to providing cutting-edge diagnostic tests.
