How to Detect Cancer Early

Co-authored by Chris M. Matsko, MD and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: March 12, 2023 References

If you've had family members deal with cancer or you've been diagnosed with a precancerous condition, it's understandable that you might want to be alert for early signs of cancer. Since the signs, severity, and growth of cancer are completely unique to each individual, it's important to pay attention to any changes in your body. You can also talk with your doctor about doing genetic testing to determine your risk for developing a specific cancer.^{[1]
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National Cancer Institute
An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support
Go to source} Being aware of your risks and monitoring potential symptoms can increase your chances of survival if the cancer is detected early.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Recognizing Early Cancer Symptoms

1
Look for changes in your skin. Skin cancers can cause your skin to change color, making it darker, more yellow, or more red. If your skin changes color, make an appointment with your primary care physician or dermatologist. You may also notice more hair growing or itchy skin. If you have moles, you should watch for any changes in their appearance.^{[2]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Another symptom of cancer is an unusual lump or body area that thickens.
- Observe any sore that doesn't heal, or white patches in your mouth or on your tongue.
2
Monitor bowel or bladder changes. If you have constipation that doesn't seem to go away, diarrhea, or any change in the size of your stool, they may indicate colon cancer.^{[3]
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American Cancer Society
Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
Go to source} Signs of prostate or bladder cancer can include:^{[4]
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MedlinePlus
Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine
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- Painful urination
- Needing to urinate more or less than usual
- Unusual bleeding or discharge
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3
Determine if you've lost weight. If you've lost weight, but haven't been dieting, you have unexplained weight loss. Losing more than 10 pounds is an early sign of cancer of the pancreas, stomach, esophagus, or lung.^{[5]
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American Cancer Society
Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
Go to source}
- You may also have trouble swallowing or might have indigestion after you eat. These are symptoms of esophageal, throat, or stomach cancer.
4
Watch for common illness symptoms. Some of the earliest symptoms of cancer might seem like symptoms of the common cold, with some key differences. You may notice cough, fatigue, fever or unexplained pain (like severe headache). Unlike common illnesses, you won't feel better after resting, the cough won't go away, and you may not have any sign of infection despite having a fever.^{[6]
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American Cancer Society
Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
Go to source}
- Pain might be one of the earliest symptoms of cancer you experience. Fever is usually a symptom once the cancer has progressed.
5
Avoid self-diagnosing. Don't assume that because you've noticed several symptoms, you definitely have cancer. Cancer symptoms can vary a great deal and can be non-specific. This means that many similar symptoms can indicate a number of other health problems ranging in severity.
- For example, fatigue can mean many things, only one of which is cancer. Instead, fatigue might just be one symptom of a different condition that you're experiencing. This is why a proper medical diagnosis is important.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Screening for Cancer

1
Get screened for breast cancer. Mammograms are x-rays of the breast that screen for lumps. If you're between the ages of 40 and 44, you can choose if you want to get mammograms every year. Women between the ages of 45 and 54 should get mammograms every year, according to the American Cancer Society. If you're over 55, you can continue yearly screening or get them every two years.^{[7]
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American Cancer Society
Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
Go to source}
- All women should do monthly breast self-examinations (BSE).^{[8]
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  BreastCancer.org
  Patient-focused nonprofit organization providing resources for those affected by breast cancer
  Go to source} Your doctor or nurse can teach you how to look for any changes in your breast tissue. Women 74 years of age or older do not need mammography screenings unless their life expectancy is greater than 10 years.
2
Test for colon or rectal cancer, and polyps. At 50 years old, everyone should be regularly tested. Ask your doctor if you can be screened for cancer and polyps. This screening relies on getting tested every five years (like a flexible sigmoidoscopy, a double-contrast barium enema, or a virtual colonoscopy) or 10 years (if getting a colonoscopy).^{[9]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
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- If your healthcare provider can't test for polyps, get tested for colon and rectal cancer. Every year you should have a blood test (guaiac-based fecal occult blood test) or a fecal immunochemical test (FIT). You could also do a stool DNA test every three years.
3
Get Pap tests for cervical cancer. Pap tests are important to diagnose cervical cancer, even if you've been vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV). If you're a woman between the ages of 21 and 29, get a Pap test every three years and only get HPV testing if you get an abnormal Pap test result. If you're between 30 and 65, get a Pap test plus an HPV test (called "co-testing") every five years. If you don't want to screen for HPV, you can just get a Pap test every three years.^{[10]
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American Cancer Society
Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
Go to source}
- If you've had a total hysterectomy that wasn't because of cervical cancer, you don't need regular Pap tests.
- If you're over 65 and have had regular testing with normal results for the past 10 years, you don't need testing anymore.
- If you have a history of serious cervical pre-cancer, you should be tested for at least 20 years after the diagnosis (even if this means testing past age 65).
4
Do a CT scan to diagnose lung cancer. Not everyone needs to be screened for lung cancer. If you're between the ages of 55 and 74, are in good health, and smoke heavily or have a history of smoking heavily, you should have CT scans to look for lung cancer. To decide if you are or were a heavy smoker, determine if you're still smoking and have a 30 "pack-year" history.^{[11]
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American Cancer Society
Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
Go to source}
- You might also be considered a heavy smoker if you have a 30 pack-year history even if you've quit within the last 15 years.
- To determine your pack-per-year amount, multiply the number of packs you smoke a day by the number of years you've smoked. So if you smoked two packs a day for 20 years, your pack-year is 40. You can also use an online calculator to determine pack-years for cigars, pipes, and cigarillos: https://www.smokingpackyears.com/
5
Talk with your doctor about screening for other cancers. Since several types of cancers have no definite guidelines, you should discuss your risk factors with your doctor. Your doctor may recommend whether or not you need to be screened. For oral cancers, you should ask your dentist for screening recommendations. In general, ask your doctor if you should be screened for:^{[12]
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American Cancer Society
Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
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- Prostate cancer
- Endometrial (uterine) cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Lymphoma
- Testicular cancer

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Testing For Genetic Risk

1
Talk with your doctor. Not everyone needs genetic testing to determine their cancer risk. If you feel like you'd benefit from knowing your genetic risk of developing cancer, talk with your doctor and make sure the doctor knows all of your family and personal medical history. Your doctor (and genetic counselor) can help you decide if there's a personal medical risk for cancer and if it's reasonable to get yourself tested for the genes responsible.^{[13]
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National Cancer Institute
An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support
Go to source}
- Many cancers that can be genetically tested for are relatively rare, so it's important to discuss whether or not it makes sense for you to go through the testing.
2
Weigh the risks and benefits of genetic testing. Since genetic testing can determine if you're at risk for cancer, it can be helpful in deciding how often to get physical exams and screenings. But, be aware that genetic testing can give few answers, be read incorrectly, and create stress and anxiety.^{[14]
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American Cancer Society
Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
Go to source} It can also cost thousands of dollars. Many insurance companies aren't required to cover it, so check with your insurance provider to see how much of the bill you'd be responsible for.^{[15]
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Trustworthy Source
American Cancer Society
Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
Go to source} Experts recommend that you get genetic testing done if:^{[16]
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American Cancer Society
Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
Go to source}
- You or your family have an increased risk for a certain cancer
- The test can clearly show if a genetic change is present or absent
- The results will help you plan future medical care
3
Recognize which cancers have genetic testing available. Testing is available to identify the genes responsible for over 50 types of inheritable cancer syndromes. Understand that if you do test positive for a gene responsible for a certain type of cancer, it does not mean that you will get that cancer. The following cancer syndromes can be related to screenable genes:^{[17]
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National Cancer Institute
An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support
Go to source}
- Hereditary breast cancer and ovarian cancer syndrome
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
- Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer)
- Familial adenomatous polyposis
- Retinoblastoma
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (Wermer syndrome) and type 2
- Cowden syndrome
- Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome
4
Get genetic testing done. Your doctor can request genetic testing if you both believe you'd benefit from it. You'll need to give a small sample of body tissue or fluid (like blood, saliva, cells from inside your mouth, skin cells, or amniotic fluid). This sample is sent to a lab which will analyze your sample and send the results back to your doctor.^{[18]
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Trustworthy Source
National Cancer Institute
An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support
Go to source}
- While it is possible to use an online genetic testing service, it's better to work with your doctor or genetic counselor so you can get detailed and personalized information.
5
Discuss the results with your doctor. Your doctor or genetic counselor will consult with you about further screening or preventative options if your genetic screening comes back positive for a specific type of cancer. Genetic counselors have also been trained to offer emotional support and put you in touch with support groups and other resources.^{[19]
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Trustworthy Source
National Cancer Institute
An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support
Go to source}
- If you get a positive screening test back, remember that this does not mean you will get that cancer. It means that your risk of developing that particular cancer is increased. But, whether you actually develop the cancer depends on you, the specific gene, your family history, your lifestyle choices, and your environment.