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Screening and Testing to Detect Cancer: Types of Screening Tests

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Related Pages

  • Cancer Imaging Program
    Promotes and supports cancer-related basic, translational, and clinical research in imaging sciences and technology, and integration and application of these imaging discoveries and developments to the understanding of cancer biology and to the clinical management of cancer and cancer risk.
  • Early Detection Research Network (EDRN)
    EDRN focuses on the research and development of biomarkers and technologies for the clinical application of early cancer detection strategies.

Types of Screening Tests

Information about cancer screening and the types of tests used to find cancer.

On this page:

Imaging Tests

Laboratory Tests

  • Interpreting Laboratory Test Results
    A fact sheet that describes the role of screening and diagnostic laboratory tests. Includes a brief discussion of factors affecting the results.
  • Pap Test
    A fact sheet that describes the Pap test procedure, possible results, and the link between HPV and cervical cancer.
  • Pap Tests: Things to Know
    Provides information about the importance of routine Pap testing in preventing and detecting cervical cancer, when to get a Pap test, and what to expect during screening. For rarely- or never-screened women.
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test
    A fact sheet that describes the PSA screening test for prostate cancer and explains the benefits and limitations of the test.
  • Tumor Markers
    A fact sheet that defines tumor markers and describes how they can be used to aid diagnosis and treatment.

Other Testing Information

  • Understanding Cancer Series: Gene Testing
    This tutorial illustrates what genes are, explains how mutations occur and are identified within genes, and discusses the benefits of gene testing for cancer and other disorders.
  • Proteomics and Cancer
    This fact sheet describes proteomics (the study of proteins and how they respond to the needs of the body or in disease). This research may lead to new ways to diagnose cancer and identify the best treatments for individual patients.
  • What You Need To Know About™ Cancer Index
    Learn the symptoms of cancer - and symptoms of many cancer types - by viewing the online booklets listed here.