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Monitoring Conditions with Potential for Cancer Diagnosis

Author: Rheta Mankin
by Rheta Mankin
Posted: Jan 09, 2015

A ton of money is spent on a yearly basis researching the causes of cancer, faster ways to diagnose the disease, and, of course, more effective treatments. With all the money being spent, there is still so much we don’t know about how cancer develops and why it happens in one person and not the next. There are certainly contributing factors that increase our risk for developing cancer including smoking, exposure to carcinogens, genetics, and diet but, in the end, there also seems to be more than a fair share of luck involved with either receiving a cancer diagnosis or not.

Here’s what we do know. Early detection is critical in many cases for conquering the disease and potentially becoming cancer-free. So while effective treatments are crucial, so too is doing what needs to be done to detect and diagnose the disease as early as possible.

First and foremost, we need to be aware of our risk factors and schedule screenings accordingly. Every adult should have a routine screening schedule of which they should be aware including mammograms and pap smears for women, prostate exams for men, and colonoscopies and skin cancer screenings for both men and women. Doctors also strongly suggest that if you have additional risk factors such as a family member with cancer or a lifestyle that increases your risk for cancer (i.e. smoking, etc.) that you should speak to your physician about adjusting your screening schedule to include more frequent or earlier screenings if you are at an age where regular screenings are not yet recommended.

Additionally, everyone should have a baseline screening during which time that person’s "normal" – which can very often be different from person to person – is evaluated and recorded. That way, if changes occur they can be seen immediately and followed up on appropriately.

Staying on top of your risk factors and any conditions that you are dealing with that may put you at greater risk of developing cancer allows you to be in control of your healthcare and make the decisions that are crucial for staying healthy.

About Lewisville Flower Mound Oncology

As a division of Choice Cancer Care, the Lewisville Flower Mound Oncology group has a patient-first philosophy. This is meant to help patients maintain a positive outlook while they undergo cutting-edge treatments to battle cancer. Our certified medical oncology and haematology physicians Dr. James Mackey and Dr. Kiran Kancharla along with our experienced and trained medical staff offer patients access to top-notch oncology care for breast, colon and other cancers in a comfortable environment with free and convenient parking. For more information you can visit http://lewisvilleflowermoundoncology.com/

About the Author

Lewisville Flower Mound Oncology Group is a renowned center for receiving compassionate cancer care. They are known for building a strong relationship with their patients who are going through various levels of cancer care.

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Author: Rheta Mankin

Rheta Mankin

Member since: Sep 06, 2014
Published articles: 8

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