Massachusetts Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition Plan 2006-2011:
Early Detection

Screenings and early detection tests are strategies used to detect cancer. They include medical check-ups, X-rays, laboratory analyses, and other techniques. They can save lives by finding cancer in its early stages when it is most treatable. Breast cancer, cervical cancer and colorectal cancer can be detected early in people without symptoms. There are also cancers for which there are no proven methods of early detection. These include prostate cancer and ovarian cancer. These cancers are included in this section of the plan because there are public health approaches that provide information and support to help those most affected to make the best personal screening decisions.