From the Guidelines
Non-radiation diagnostics such as MRI, liquid biopsies, genetic testing, and endoscopic procedures are effective for cancer screening, with MRI having the highest sensitivity for breast cancer detection. When considering non-radiation diagnostics for cancer screening, several options are available, including:
- MRI, which is particularly useful for high-risk women with dense breasts, as it has a sensitivity of 87% to 96% compared to mammography alone, which has a sensitivity of 31% to 33% 1
- Liquid biopsies, which detect circulating tumor DNA in blood samples and are emerging as promising non-invasive screening tools
- Genetic testing, which can identify inherited mutations that increase cancer risk, particularly for breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancers
- Endoscopic procedures like colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and upper endoscopy, which can directly visualize the digestive tract to detect polyps and early cancers
- Physical examinations, such as clinical breast exams, testicular exams, skin checks for melanoma, and digital rectal exams for prostate and colorectal cancers
- Blood tests, including PSA for prostate cancer, CA-125 for ovarian cancer, and AFP for liver cancer. It's essential to note that the best screening approach depends on individual risk factors, age, family history, and personal medical history, so regular consultation with healthcare providers is crucial to determine the most appropriate screening schedule 1.
From the Research
Non-Radiation Diagnostics for Cancer Screening
- Fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs) are a type of non-radiation diagnostic used for colorectal cancer screening, as discussed in 2, 3, 4
- FOBTs can be further divided into traditional guaiac-based tests and new-generation fecal immunochemical tests (FITs), with FITs showing higher sensitivity and specificity 2, 4
- Immunochemical fecal occult blood tests (I-FOBT) have been shown to perform better than guaiac-based FOBTs in randomized comparisons, with higher participation and detection rates for advanced adenomas and cancer 3
Types of Non-Radiation Diagnostics
- Fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) are a type of non-radiation diagnostic that can be automated and have adjustable cut-off values for positive results 2
- Proteomic-based tests are a new development in the field of colorectal cancer screening, which may further reduce false-negative rates 2
- Breast cancer screening and diagnosis methods include established and emerging techniques, such as molecular and genetic biomarkers, as discussed in 5