1. Cancer Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Contents
Cancer Screening and Diagnosis
Emerging Treatments: Immunotherapy and Molecular Targeting

2. Cancer Screening and Diagnosis
Cancer treatment success is strongly influenced by the stage of diagnosis
Many cancers are difficult to detect

3. Cancer has few symptoms
The location of symptoms depend on the type of cancer involved
Small and localized: no symptoms
The warning signs of cancer
Change in bowel or bladder habits
A sore that dose not heal
Unusual bleeding or discharge
Thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere
Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
Obvious change in a wart or mole
Nagging cough or hoarseness

4. Two shortcomings Symptoms appear too late
None of the listed symptoms is specific for cancer

5. Cervical Cancer Screening
Pap Smears

6. Mammography Breast Cancer Screening
Screening procedures for early breast cancer by X-ray : mammography
Mammograms
Benefits for two groups of individuals
High risk group
Over 50 y/o women

7. Colon Cancer Screening
Colonoscopy:
Colonoscope
6-9 inches
To see inner surface of the colon
X-ray imaging techniques: barium enema
Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)
Not sensitive and specific for screening colorectal cancers

8. Blood tests for cancer screening
Blood test is a simple method
PSA test: for over 50 y/o man
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) measurement
PSA normally produce by the prostate gland
Looking for immune cells that are attacking the area

9. Biopsy Tissue sample from the area
Only good before metastasis
Biopsy specimen can measure the exact nature of cancer
Brain specimen is difficult to obtain

10. Cancer Screening and Diagnosis

11. Emerging treatments: immunotherapy and molecular targeting

12. Immunotherapies exploit the ability of the immune system to recognize cancer cells
Immunotherapy was first proposed in 1800s
Using live or dead bacteria to provoke the immune system of cancer patients
BCG bacteria for prolonged activation of immune after bladder cancer surgery patients