When it comes to cancer prevention check-ups, many people fall into two extremes:
Either they believe that "the more expensive and comprehensive the test, the better," and blindly pile up tumor markers;
Either they take a chance and think that since they have no symptoms, there's no need to get tested.
In fact, cancer prevention check-ups are not a one-size-fits-all package, but rather personalized early screening programs tailored to age, gender, family history, and lifestyle habits.
01 Don't blindly undergo these two types of examinations
Many people equate regular physical examinations with cancer prevention examinations and also have a superstitious belief in "complete sets of tumor markers", which is the most common cognitive bias.
General physical examinations primarily focus on basic health indicators, making it difficult to detect early cancerous changes;
An increase in tumor markers does not necessarily indicate cancer. Inflammation and benign lesions can also lead to abnormal values. Excessive testing will only increase anxiety.
A truly effective cancer prevention physical examination should target high-incidence cancer types, identify early signals, and utilize appropriate screening methods.
The top ten cancers in terms of incidence rate in Hainan are lung cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, stomach cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, cervical cancer, thyroid cancer, and oral cancer. These are also the focus of screening.
02 Basic general screening: mandatory items
Regardless of gender and age, annual cancer prevention physical examinations should cover these basic checks to establish the first line of defense against cancer:
Blood routine test + liver and kidney function: It is the basic item for all screenings to investigate the underlying lesions of the blood system, liver, and kidney, and to trace the source of abnormal signals in a timely manner.
Urine routine test: a non-invasive screening tool for urinary system lesions, capable of detecting nephritis, urinary tract infections, occult hematuria, and proteinuria, and indirectly screening for potential cancerous changes in the urogenital system. It is a basic and mandatory examination for the entire population.
Blood lipids and blood glucose: Monitor metabolic indicators. Long-term high blood glucose and high blood lipids can damage organ function and increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, etc. Maintaining metabolic health is an important part of cancer prevention
Abdominal ultrasound: non-invasive and non-radiative, capable of quickly screening abdominal organs such as the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, and kidneys, with high sensitivity to fatty liver, cysts, nodules, and space-occupying lesions, suitable for routine annual examination.
Low-dose spiral CT of the chest: replacing traditional chest radiography, it is the "gold standard" for early screening of lung cancer. With a radiation dose only 1/10 of that of regular CT, it can detect millimeter-sized pulmonary nodules. It is a must for people who smoke for a long time or are exposed to oil fume and dust.
Fecal occult blood test: non-invasive and convenient, it is a key item for colorectal cancer screening. Persistent positive results indicate a risk of intestinal bleeding and require further colonoscopy.
03 Personalized customization: precise overweight based on gender and high-risk groups
The essence of cancer prevention physical examination lies in "tailored customization". For different genders and high-risk groups, targeted screening items need to be added to avoid missing the diagnosis of high-incidence cancers.
Female-specific screening: safeguarding breast and cervical health
Breast cancer and cervical cancer are the two major high-incidence cancers among women, and the cure rate is extremely high in their early stages. Screening is absolutely essential.
For sexually active female friends, it is recommended to undergo individual or combined screening for HPV and TCT at least every 2 to 3 years. It is also advisable to continue regular cervical cancer screening after receiving the HPV vaccine, in order to achieve early detection, diagnosis, and treatment.
For women over 40 years old, breast ultrasound should be performed annually. For high-risk groups (with family history, breast nodules), breast molybdenum target should be added to accurately detect early breast lesions.
Men-specific screening: Focus on prostate and lungs
The incidence rate of lung cancer and prostate cancer in males remains high. For males over 50 years old, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and prostate ultrasound should be added annually to screen for prostate cancer;
Men who smoke for a long time, drink excessively, and have irregular work and rest routines belong to the high-risk group for lung cancer. It is recommended to undergo low-dose spiral CT of the chest for early screening of lung cancer.
Special screening for high-risk groups: maintaining vigilant focus on key prevention measures
Individuals with a family history of cancer, chronic diseases, and unhealthy lifestyles belong to high-risk cancer groups, and screening should be conducted earlier and more frequently:
High-risk groups for colorectal cancer (with a family history of polyps, chronic enteritis, or a long-term high-fat diet): undergo colonoscopy every 3-5 years starting at age 40. Unless there are special circumstances, there is no need to repeat annually. If polyps are found, they should be removed promptly. In cases of special circumstances such as recurrent intestinal bleeding or multiple polyps, the screening frequency should be reduced according to medical advice.
High-risk groups for liver cancer (hepatitis B/C carriers, long-term alcoholics, fatty liver patients): It is more prudent to undergo liver ultrasound and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) testing every six months, rather than annually.
High-risk population for gastric cancer (positive for Helicobacter pylori, gastric ulcer, family history of gastric cancer): undergo gastroscopy every 2-3 years starting at age 40. Eradicating Helicobacter pylori can reduce the risk of canceration; in cases of severe intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia of gastric mucosa, the screening frequency should be increased as prescribed by a doctor.
04 Expert reminder: screening + prevention, a two-pronged approach is effective
Cancer prevention physical examination is not just a one-time check-up. Regular screening is a means, but healthy living is the fundamental approach.
After receiving the report, if you find abnormalities such as nodules, polyps, or markers, do not panic. Seek follow-up consultations with a specialist promptly. Most benign lesions only require regular follow-ups.
Simultaneously, we should quit smoking, limit alcohol intake, maintain regular work and rest schedules, eat regularly and nutritiously, exercise moderately, and keep emotions stable. By taking these measures, we can strengthen our health defenses from the source and reduce the risk of cancer.
In summary, annual cancer prevention check-ups, avoiding blindly seeking perfection, focusing on high-risk cancer types, and tailoring a plan according to one's own situation, can truly play the role of early screening, safeguarding long-term health with minimal cost.
Health Management Center
The Health Management Center, relying on Hainan Cancer Hospital and Hainan Chengmei Hospital, is committed to implementing the "Healthy China" strategy, expanding the connotation and extension of traditional physical examination services, transforming and extending from disease treatment to health management, and providing health management services. It strives to build the most professional health management institution. Adhering to the service principle of "professional authority, customized exclusivity, and health protection", the center has established a complete set of professional, refined, and standardized service processes in accordance with the central leaders' healthcare system. It provides professional services to high-end individuals such as provincial and ministerial leaders, foreign VIPs, corporate elites, and social celebrities.