Screening Tests For Common Diseases

Screening Tests for Common Diseases
hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/screening-tests-for-common-diseases
August 14, 2019
What is a screening test?

A screening test is done to detect potential health disorders or diseases in people who do
not have any symptoms of disease. The goal is early detection and lifestyle changes or
surveillance, to reduce the risk of disease, or to detect it early enough to treat it most
effectively. Screening tests are not considered diagnostic, but are used to identify a subset
of the population who should have additional testing to determine the presence or
absence of disease.
When is a screening test helpful?

What makes a screening test valuable is its ability to detect potential problems, while
minimizing unclear, ambiguous, or confusing results. While screening tests are not 100%
accurate in all cases, it is generally more valuable to have the screening tests at the
appropriate times, as recommended by your healthcare provider, than to not have them at
all. However, some screening tests, when used in people not at high risk for disease, or
when testing for very rare diseases, can cause more problems than they help.
Some common screening tests

Be sure to consult your healthcare provider regarding the appropriate timing and
frequency of all screening tests based on your age, overall health, and medical history. The
following are some examples of common screening tests:
Cholesterol measurements
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that can be found in all parts of the body. It aids in the
production of cell membranes, some hormones, and vitamin D. The cholesterol in the
blood comes from 2 sources: the food you eat and production in your liver. However, the
liver produces all of the cholesterol the body needs.
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Cholesterol and other fats are transported in the bloodstream in the form of spherical
particles, called lipoproteins. The 2 most commonly known lipoproteins are low-density
lipoproteins (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol, and high-density lipoproteins (HDL), or "good"
cholesterol.
Cholesterol screening is performed by a blood test. People with high cholesterol

measurements from a blood sample have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD),
than those with cholesterol in the normal range. Studies have shown that people with high
cholesterol can reduce their risk for heart disease by lowering their cholesterol. It is
important to understand, however, that people can still have heart disease even with
cholesterol levels in the normal range.
Fecal occult blood test
Fecal occult blood is detected by microscopic analysis or by chemical tests for hemoglobin
(blood) in the stool. People with blood in their stool may have a cancerous growth
indicative of colorectal cancer. The test requires collection of 3 stool samples that are
examined under the microscope for blood. It is important to understand that when blood
is present in a stool sample, it can be due to other noncancerous factors, such as certain
medications or foods, gastrointestinal bleeding, or hemorrhoids. Testing is recommended
starting at age 50 by many organizations including the American Cancer Society.
Pap test (also called Pap smears)

Pap smears are samples of cells taken from the cervix in women to look for cellular
changes indicative of cervical cancer. The Pap smear is an important screening test in
sexually active women under the age of 65, to detect cancer at a stage when there are often
no symptoms. It is important to understand that a Pap smear may be referred to as
"abnormal," but may not mean that a person has cervical cancer. Some organizations also
recommend HPV (human papilloma virus) screening in certain populations during the
Pap smear.
Prostate specific antigen (PSA)

This blood test measures the prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels in the blood. Antigens
are any substances that evoke responses from a person's immune system. The prostate
specific antigen levels can be elevated in the presence of prostate cancer. However, it is
important to understand that other benign prostate conditions may also elevate PSA, such
as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is noncancerous swelling of the prostate.
The PSA test is not recommended for all men, and there is considerable controversy over
the role of PSA testing. Some organizations, such as the United States Preventive Services
Task Force (USPSTF), now recommend against PSA screening. The pros and cons of PSA
screening should always be discussed with your healthcare provider before testing. Some
of the cons include unnecessary testing and procedures, unnecessary costs, and
significantly increased anxiety.
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Mammography
Many organizations, including the USPSTF, recommend mammography screening for

breast cancer every 1 year to 2 years after age 50. This test is done in conjunction with a
clinical breast exam
Colonoscopy
Many organizations, including the USPSTF, recommend screening for colon cancer or
colon polyps at age 50, earlier if you have a family history or other risk factors
Diabetes or prediabetes
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that all adults be screened for
diabetes or prediabetes starting at age 45, regardless of weight. Additionally, individuals
without symptoms of diabetes should be screened if they are overweight or obese and
have one or more additional diabetes risk factors.
Consult your healthcare provider regarding all of these as well as other types of screening
tests, based on your medical condition, as not all healthcare providers are in agreement in
regard to which screening tests should be done and for which age groups.
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Screening Tests For Common Diseases

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Screening Tests for Common Diseases

August 14, 2019

What is a screening test?

When is a screening test helpful?

Some common screening tests

Cholesterol screening is performed by a blood test. People with high cholesterol

Fecal occult blood test

Pap test (also called Pap smears)

Prostate specific antigen (PSA)

Many organizations, including the USPSTF, recommend mammography screening for

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