In the present era, because of changing lifestyles and stress, various new
diseases are emerging as a major health problem worldwide. Fields like medicine and
technology are also getting more advanced, but mortality and morbidity rates are still
increasing. In India, after cardiac diseases, cancer is the second leading cause of
morbidity and mortality and mainly accounts for 9% of all deaths. Because of a lack of
awareness, diagnostic facilities, and screening programs, nearly 75-80% of cancer
patients approach hospitals at an advanced stage (stage 3-4). If cancer is detected in the
early stage then it is treated easily. Screening is an essential and effective preventive
measure in cancer control. The main aim of cancer screening is to detect cancer before
the manifestation of symptoms. It is advised for various cancers like breast, cervical,
colorectal, prostate, etc. Cancer screening is mainly helpful in cancer prevention, early
detection, and subsequent treatment. Multiple tools like urine tests, blood tests, medical
imaging or DNA tests, etc., are mainly used for screening. They help to decrease the
total number of people dying of cancer through its early detection and better treatment.
Keywords: Brush biopsy, Colonoscopy, Mammography, Pap smear, ProstateSpecific antigen, Screening tools.
