Topic: Screening and early detection

The detection of a cancer that would not have caused symptoms or harm during a person’s lifetime. Overdiagnosis can lead to extra tests or treatment that may not have been needed.

The proportion of eligible people who take part in a screening program. Higher participation can help screening programs detect more cancers or precancerous changes early.

Finding cancer at an earlier stage, when treatment is more likely to be successful. Early detection can happen through cancer screening or when symptoms are noticed and investigated quickly.

When a person collects their own biological sample for testing, often using a swab or kit. In cancer screening, self-sampling can make testing more accessible and comfortable for some people.

Testing people who do not have symptoms to look for cancer or precancerous changes as early as possible. Screening can help find cancer when it is smaller, less likely to have spread and more likely to be treated successfully. See also early detection and secondary prevention.