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Fact Sheets: Detection/Diagnosis

Colorectal Cancer Research from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial: NCI Fact Sheet
(Posted: 07/11/2005) - In the PLCO trial, researchers are testing flexible sigmoidoscopy. During a sigmoidoscopy, a thin, lighted viewing instrument is inserted into the rectum to examine the left, or distal, portion of the colorectum.

Colorectal Cancer Screening
(Reviewed: 10/17/2008) - This fact sheet discusses the advantages and disadvantages of several colorectal cancer screening tests. National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 5.31

Computed Tomography (CT): Questions and Answers
(Reviewed: 09/08/2003) - A fact sheet that describes the CT scan procedure and technology and its uses in diagnosis and treatment. National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 5.2

Digital vs. Film Mammography in the Digital Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (DMIST): Questions and Answers
(Posted: 09/16/2005) - DMIST showed that, for the entire population of women studied, digital and film mammography had very similar screening accuracy.

Early Prostate Cancer: Questions and Answers
(Reviewed: 09/21/2007) - A fact sheet that describes risk factors for prostate cancer, and symptoms and treatment options for localized disease. Discusses available screening tests. National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 5.23

Improving Methods for Breast Cancer Detection and Diagnosis
(Reviewed: 04/26/2002) - A fact sheet that describes digital mammography, ultrasound, MRI, biopsy, and other tests used to detect and diagnose breast cancer. National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 5.14

Interpreting Laboratory Test Results
(Reviewed: 01/15/2003) - A fact sheet that describes the role of screening and diagnostic laboratory tests. Includes a brief discussion of factors affecting the results. National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 5.27

Ovarian Cancer Research Results from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial: Fact Sheet
(Posted: 11/07/2005) - The primary objective of the ovarian component of the PLCO trial is to determine in women, age 55 to 74 years old at entry, whether screening with CA-125 and TVU can decrease mortality from ovarian cancer.

Pathology Reports: Questions and Answers
(Reviewed: 12/06/2007) - A fact sheet that describes the type of information that may be found in a pathology report, the document that contains results of the visual and microscopic examination of tissue removed during a biopsy or surgery. National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 5.33

Probability of Breast Cancer in American Women
(Reviewed: 10/05/2006) - A fact sheet that provides information and statistics about a woman's chance of developing breast cancer by specific ages. National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 5.6

Prostate Cancer Research Results From the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial: Fact Sheet
(Posted: 03/15/2005) - The Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial, or PLCO, is a large-scale clinical trial to determine whether certain cancer screening tests reduce deaths from these cancers.

Proteomics and Cancer: Fact Sheet
(Posted: 04/30/2004, Updated: 09/29/2005) - The term "proteome" was first coined in 1994 and refers to all the proteins in a cell, tissue, or organism. Proteomics refers to the study of the proteome. Because proteins are involved in almost all biological activities, the proteome is a rich source of biological information.

Screening Mammograms: Questions and Answers
(Reviewed: 09/04/2007) - A fact sheet that defines screening mammograms and their benefits and limitations. Discusses mammogram screening guidelines and risk factors for breast cancer. National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 5.28

Spiral CT Scans for Lung Cancer Screening: Fact Sheet
(Posted: 07/07/2000, Updated: 10/31/2006) - Lung cancer, which is most frequently caused by cigarette smoking, is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, claiming an expected 162,460 lives in 2006.

Staging: Questions and Answers
(Reviewed: 01/06/2004) - This fact sheet explains the process of grouping cancer cases in categories (stages) based on the size of the tumor and the extent of the cancer in the body. National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 5.32

The Pap Test: Questions and Answers
(Reviewed: 03/29/2007) - A fact sheet that describes the Pap test procedure, possible results, and the link between HPV and cervical cancer. National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 5.16

The Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test: Questions and Answers
(Reviewed: 08/21/2007) - A fact sheet that describes the PSA screening test for prostate cancer and explains the benefits and limitations of the test. National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 5.29

Tumor Grade: Questions and Answers
(Reviewed: 05/19/2004) - A fact sheet that discusses tumor grade and its role in prognosis. Explains concepts like normal cell biology and cell differentiation. National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 5.9

Tumor Markers: Questions and Answers
(Reviewed: 02/03/2006) - A fact sheet that defines tumor markers and describes how they can be used to aid diagnosis and treatment. National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 5.18


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