Screening for cancer: Colon, lung, and skin cancers

One of modern medicine's proudest achievements is its ever-improving ability to detect disease early. The rationale is obvious: Early diagnosis leads to early treatment and a better outcome. When it comes to a disease like cancer, early diagnosis is particularly important, even urgent.

There are many ways to facilitate early detection. People should learn to recognize warning symptoms and call them to a doctor's attention. Physicians should perform careful exams and follow up on any abnormalities they find. And testing should be used to root out disease even before it shows up on a doctor's exam or causes any symptoms at all.