Every year, more than 2 million people in the United States hear the life-changing words: “You have cancer”. It’s a moment filled with questions, uncertainty, and a need for answers. While a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, understanding the many cancer treatments available is a big step forward. This article will guide you through what’s out there, so you can feel more informed and supported on this journey.
How Is Cancer Diagnosed?
In the United States, diagnosing cancer is a process that begins with identifying signs or symptoms that something might be wrong. This could be noticed by the person experiencing unusual changes, like a lump, pain, or unexplained weight loss, or it might be found during a routine screening test, such as a mammogram or colonoscopy. Every type of cancer have their own warning signs, to fins out more, continue reading here
If something suspicious is found, doctors use various tools to investigate further. Imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs help create detailed pictures of the inside of the body to look for abnormalities. Blood tests can check for markers that might indicate cancer, though they aren’t always conclusive on their own.
If these tests suggest cancer might be present, the next step is often a biopsy. In this procedure, a small piece of tissue is taken from the suspicious area and examined under a microscope to check for cancer cells. This step confirms whether cancer is present and what type it is.
Once cancer is confirmed, doctors assess how advanced it is by diagnosing it in stages. This is a key step in understanding the cancer and planning the best treatment approach. What these stages entail and how they affect cancer treatments? Continue reading on the next page and you’ll find out.
