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CANCER SCREENING

CANCER SCREENING on https://www.forhealth.ky/

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  • Prostate Screening (PSA)

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This test checks for prostate health and can help identify enlarged prostate and other inflammatory conditions in men. PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is a protein in blood that is often higher if you have prostate cancer, or if you have a non-cancerous condition like an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis). This test can help identify these problems so you can make informed decisions about your health.

The PSA test is for men aged 55-69 or those over 40 with certain risk factors, such as African-American men or men whose fathers, brothers, or sons have had prostate cancer.

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This test does not require fasting.

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  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)

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Carcinoembryonic antigen is a protein generally found in fetal tissues, though it is present in low levels in adults. Increased levels of CEA can indicate cancer.  This test is useful for identifying colon cancer recurrences after tumors have been surgically removed, or to monitor response to colon cancer treatment. CEA levels are also elevated by some other forms of cancer, including cancers of the rectum, lung, breast, liver, pancreas, stomach, and ovary. 

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This test does not require fasting.

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  • Cancer Antigen CA 19-9

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Pancreatic cancer is hard to diagnose with early stages producing few, if any, symptoms while the later phase symptoms can be vague or attributed to other diseases and conditions. The CA 19-9 Cancer Antigen test is used as a tumor marker to monitor treatment and determine recurrence of pancreatic cancer. It may also be used to track some other diseases such as colorectal cancer and pancreatitis.

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This test does not require fasting.

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  • Cancer Antigen CA 125

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This is a protein found on the surface of many ovarian cancer cells. It also can be found in other cancers and in small amounts in normal tissue. A CA-125 test measures the amount of this protein in the blood.

CA-125 is used as a tumor marker, which means the test can help show if some types of cancer are present. Most often, the CA-125 test is used to check how well treatment for ovarian cancer is working or to see if ovarian cancer has returned. A doctor may also request this test to determine where cancer in another part of the body began; high levels of CA-125 is a sign that the cancer began in the ovary.

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This test does not require fasting.

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  • Alpha Fetoprotein Tumor Marker (AFP)

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The Alpha Fetoprotein tumor marker test is used to monitor treatment for certain cancers of the liver, testes and ovaries which produce Alpha Fetoprotein.  It may also be used in combination with imaging studies and physical exams to help diagnose certain cancers.  It should not be used as a screening test because some cancers do not produce AFP and increased AFP levels does not always mean a person has or will develop cancer. 

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This test does not require fasting.

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  • Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC)

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Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) is an autosomal dominant hereditary cancer syndrome associated with germline mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. Mutations within these 2 genes account for the majority of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer families. HBOC is predominantly characterized by young-onset breast cancer and ovarian cancer. However, HBOC is also associated with increased risks for prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, fallopian tube cancer, and male breast cancer. HBOC is highly penetrant; the risk for developing an invasive breast cancer is about 60% to 65% and the risk for developing ovarian cancer is about 40% by age 70. Some individuals develop multiple primary or bilateral cancers. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the American Cancer Society provide recommendations regarding the medical management of individuals with HBOC.

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This test does not require fasting.

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  • Fecal Immunochemical Test and Fecal Occult Blood Test

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To screen for digestive tract bleeding, which may be an indicator of colon cancer​.

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  • Pap Smear (Pap Test)

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To screen for cervical cancer and certain vaginal or uterine infections.

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  • Human papillomavirus (HPV)

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Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of related viruses. They can cause warts on different parts of your body. 

They can  spread through other intimate, skin-to-skin contact. Some of these types can cause cancer.

There are two categories of sexually transmitted HPV. Low-risk HPV can cause warts on or around your genitals, anus, mouth, or throat. High-risk HPV can cause various cancers:

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Most HPV infections go away on their own and don't cause cancer. But sometimes the infections last longer. When a high-risk HPV infection lasts for many years, it can lead to cell changes. If these changes are not treated, they may get worse over time and become cancer.

Please Contact Laboratory services at (345) 943-4666 Ext 514 to coordinate testing.

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