The Prime Difference Between Cancer Screening & Diagnostics

An early diagnosis of cancer is often critical in determining the consequences of a patient’s treatment. Data show that the earlier cancer is diagnosed, the better your chances of a more positive outcome. However, a later diagnosis may make more treatment challenges and worsen outcomes. 

As the Coronavirus outbreak continues to rinsing hospital and other health care resources spent on treating patients with the virus, doctors and patients may be faced with the difficult decision of whether to reschedule screening or diagnostic procedures for a disease like cancer.

Major Differences

A cancer screening is performed as a regular check for disease even in the absence of chronic symptoms and sign. This may compromise a yearly pelvic exam, a mammogram, chest X-ray or a five-or-10-year colonoscopy. Some screening, such as a pelvic exam or digital rectal check, maybe part of regular annual physical. Regular screenings may also be recommended if you smoke, have a professional or family history of the disease, or are of a certain age or demographic. 

Screening procedures of cancers proceedings are accomplished to determine if there is a distortion before any such signs or symptoms enhances. Whereas Diagnostic procedures, on the other hand, are looking for cancer in the presence of bothersome symptoms and signs.  

A diagnostic test for cancer is performed when symptoms, such as bleeding, a lump, pain or other several reasons raise uncertainties that cancer is the cause. These diagnostics are often conducted as a follow up to a screening procedure that may have found symptoms and signs of cancer. For example, your doctor conducts a screening when testing you for suspicious moles, growths or other potential sign of skin cancer. However, when removing a more or growth to have it biopsied, the dermatologist is performing a diagnostic procedure. Some procedures, such as some blood tests and imaging exams, may be used for both diagnostic and screening procedures.

For those reasons, some screenings may be delayed, while diagnostics may be more time complex. In most cases, a delay in carrying out a scheduled screening test for six months or even a year is not a concern, assuming the non-appearance of any signs or symptoms possibly suggesting the presence of cancer. If any concerning signs or symptoms are present, it’s best to consult with your physician to control if a delay in the estimate is appropriate.