Screening tests that detect cancers early can save lives, because cancers that are detected at early stages are often highly curable.
For some cancers, screening can prevent the cancer from occurring, as when polyps in the colon are found and taken out before they become cancer. For others, early detection can reduce both the duration and severity of treatments. It also can improve quality of life and survival.
The Early Detection Committee considered the following information when setting its priorities:
- Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Connecticut, the state with the second highest rate of new breast cancer cases and the 12th highest breast cancer death rate in the nation.
- Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed and the second leading cause of cancer death in Connecticut.
- Cervical cancer. If all women over 18 years of age who are sexually active had a Pap test regularly, survival rates for this cancer would be greater than 90%.
- Disparities. People with health insurance are more likely than the uninsured and underinsured to receive appropriate preventive care, including cancer screening tests. Screening rates for several cancers, but especially colorectal cancer, are particularly low among minority and low-income populations.
- Other cancers. Although high-risk populations for lung, ovarian, and skin cancers have been identified, evidence to date does not support the use of screening tests that are now available.
Although high-risk populations for prostate cancer have been identified and there are screening tests for prostate cancer (PSA or DRE), the scientific evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against their use in routine screening.
Click on the link below, to download the Early Detection chapter of the Connecticut Comprehensive Cancer Control
Plan.
Increasing Early Detection (PDF, 4.4 MB)
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