Early Detection of Cancer

The early detection of cancer means finding cancer before there are symptoms or as soon as possible after they develop.  Its aim is to detect the cancer before it has time to spread to other parts of the body. 

Although some cancers have early warning signs that are easy to identify, many do not.  Furthermore, finding a cancer before it appears to have spread does not always lead to an improved outcome.  However, it is always important to seek medical advice if you have:

• a lump or change in your breast, testicle or elsewhere
• problems with your “water works”
• anything unusual that goes on for more than two weeks.

Melanoma – a serious form of skin cancer - is a cancer for which early detection and prompt treatment can make an important difference.   Since the late 1980’s the Cancer Society has promoted activities to help identify skin changes, such a new or changing freckle or mole, which could be melanoma.  Such efforts are likely to have contributed to melanoma death rates becoming stable in New Zealand, despite a rising increase in the number of melanomas being diagnosed.

Early detection of cancer before the development of symptoms occurs through cancer screening. Screening is the process whereby people who have no symptoms undergo a test or procedure, usually at regular intervals during certain stages of their lives.  In some cases, the purpose of screening is to detect cancer at an early stage of development.   In others screening finds “pre-cancers”, the treatment of which can help to prevent the cancer from developing. 

During the past twenty years the Cancer Society has undertaken a range of activities relating to cancer screening, including the development of position statements on particular forms of screening.  These statements have been based on international reviews of published evidence and the findings of national advisory groups on which the Society has been represented.

More recently the Society has developed criteria to assess a particular form of screening, to determine whether it should be endorsed by the Society and to identify what action the Society should take in relation to that form of screening.

• Criteria for Cancer Society of New Zealand Assessment, Endorsement and Identification of Action Relating to Cancer Screening
  

Further information

• Cancer Society Position Statements
• Reducing Your Risk of Cancer
• Breast Lumps and Changes
• Bowel Cancer
  Bowel Cancer; information for those at increased risk