Monday - Saturday
7am - 5pm
Sunday
8am - 12 noon
Monday - Friday
8am - 4pm
Saturday
7am - 3pm
Sunday
8am - 12 noon

Gretna Medical Center

315 Westbank Expressway
Gretna, LA 70053
Phone:(504) 364-1844

How to detect cancer early?

How to detect cancer early?

There are a variety of tests that can detect cancer early, including:

  • Screening tests: Screening tests are used to look for cancer in people who do not have any symptoms. These tests can include mammograms, Pap smears, and colonoscopy.
  • Early detection tests: Early detection tests are used to look for cancer in people who have symptoms that may be caused by cancer. These tests can include blood tests, imaging tests, and biopsies.
  • Symptoms: Some cancers can cause symptoms, such as a lump in the breast, a change in bowel habits, or a cough that does not go away. If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor right away.

The type of test that is best for you will depend on your individual circumstances. Your doctor can help you decide which test is right for you.

Here are some of the most common screening and early detection tests:

  • Mammograms: Mammograms are used to look for breast cancer in women. They are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is most treatable.
  • Pap smears: Pap smears are used to look for cervical cancer in women. They can help to prevent cervical cancer or find it early, when it is most treatable.
  • Colonoscopies: Colonoscopies are used to look for colorectal cancer in both men and women. They can help to find colorectal cancer early, when it is most treatable.
  • Blood tests: Blood tests can be used to look for certain types of cancer, such as prostate cancer. They can also be used to monitor the progress of cancer treatment.
  • Imaging tests: Imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans, can be used to look for cancer in different parts of the body. They can help to find cancer early, when it is most treatable.
  • Biopsies: Biopsies are used to remove a small piece of tissue from a suspected cancer. The tissue can then be tested to see if it contains cancer cells.
  • Galleri testing: Galleri is a type of test that looks for signals shared across more than 50 types of cancer through a blood draw.  Many of these cancers are normally not screend for today.

Why is detecting cancer early so important?

Early cancer detection is important because it can increase the chances of successful treatment. When cancer is detected early, it is often smaller and less likely to have spread to other parts of the body. This means that treatment is more likely to be successful.

There are a number of ways to detect cancer early, including:

  • Screening tests: Screening tests are used to look for cancer in people who do not have any symptoms. These tests can include mammograms, Pap smears, and colonoscopy.
  • Early detection tests: Early detection tests are used to look for cancer in people who have symptoms that may be caused by cancer. These tests can include blood tests, imaging tests, and biopsies.
  • Symptoms: Some cancers can cause symptoms, such as a lump in the breast, a change in bowel habits, or a cough that does not go away. If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor right away.

Early cancer detection is an important part of cancer prevention. By detecting cancer early, we can increase the chances of successful treatment and save lives.

Here are some additional reasons why early cancer detection is important:

  • Cancer is often more treatable when it is detected early.
  • Early cancer detection can help to prevent the spread of cancer to other parts of the body.
  • Early cancer detection can help to reduce the risk of death from cancer.
  • Early cancer detection can help to reduce the cost of cancer treatment.
  • Early cancer detection can help to improve the quality of life for people with cancer.

Open 7 days a week. Walk-in patients are welcome.

Fax: (504) 367-6022

315 Westbank Expressway Gretna, LA 70053

Business Hours
Monday - Saturday
7am - 5pm
Sunday
7am - 12 noon

Book Online Appointment

Our phone lines can be extremely busy.  If you don't need to be seen today, please use our contact page to get your question answered or book an online appointment.  We have someone that monitors the questions from the contact page 7 days a week and you will get an answer extremely fast.

Self-pay COVID Testing Patients May Walk In

Our phone lines can be extremely busy.  If you don't need to be seen today, please use our contact page to get your question answered or book an online appointment.  We have someone that monitors the questions from the contact page 7 days a week and you will get an answer extremely fast.

You may come as a walk-in if you are testing for COVID as long as you self pay.  We take COVID testing walk-in patients only if you are paying for the test yourself.

Gretna Medical Center