Cancer is a dangerous disease with a high mortality rate when it's too late and was treated as early as possible.
Initial examination or cancer screening is one way done to recognize the existence of cancer before sufferers experience symptoms of the disease.
This examination is recommended to be done regularly, especially for those who are at high risk of cancer, for example: there are family history of cancer, smokers, exposed to radiation or carcinogenic chemicals, old age, obesity, have been infected with a virus (HPV, B or C), and others.
Screening for various types of cancer varies from the type of cancer. It is important for us to know what screening we have to do by the type of cancer we want to detect.
High level of knowledge accompanied by the progress of current times and technology, cancer can be detected faster. Currently various types of examinations have been found to support the diagnosis of more early cancer, including:
I. Laboratory Examination

Some tumor marker checks / tumor markers
• Alfa Fetoprotein Protein (AFP), is an oncophetal protein that is normally produced by the fetal liver tissue and Yolk SAC. In normal adults it is very low levels. This examination is used for tumor markers, especially liver tumors. AFP will increase in hepatic cirrhosis and active chronic hepatitis and other cancer such as gastric cancer, large intestine, and breasts.
• Carcino Embryionic Antigen (CEA), is a normal protein obtained on the fetal intestinal tissue. This examination is used for tumor markers, especially for colorectal tumors and lungs. In addition, the increase in CEA can also be found to increase in breast cancer, prostate, ovaries, pancreas, thyroid and liver.
• Prostate specific antigen (PSA), is an examination of prostate cancer markers, in addition PSA examination is also used for monitoring the therapeutic response and the success of treatment of prostate cancer. Someone with the PSA content of more than 10 NG / ML has a high possibility of indication of prostate cancer. This examination is primarily intended for men aged more than 40 years or with family history once suffering from prostate cancer.
• CA 19-9, is a pancreatic tumor marker and monitoring treatment in colorectal cancer.
• CA 15-3, Cancer Antigen 15-3 used to identify breast cancer and treatment results.
• CA-125, is an indicator of non-mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer. Increased in ovarian cancer. Also used for therapeutic monitors in ovarian cancer.
• Suamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), antigens are obtained from the Squamousa cell carcinoma network from the cervix uterine. Generally it also increases on the malignancy of squamous cells from the lungs, pharynx, larynx, palate, tongue, and neck.
• Neuron Specific Enolanse (NSE), used to assess the journey of disease and treatment from the ferocity of small cell bronchial carcinoma (pulmonary), neuroblastoma (nerves), seminomas (testicles).
• Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), is a hormone produced by the placenta. Normal increases in pregnancy, but can increase in the moliness of Mola Hydatidosa, Korioepityeloma, Koriocarcinoma testicles.
• FAESES FAESES Blood Test (FAECAL Occult Blood Test), is a simple procedure for finding the initial sign of colon cancer in patients without real intestinal symptoms. Done through sampling feces and examinations in the laboratory. Intust cancer often gives a sign of blood to the feces before it causes other symptoms such as abdominal pain, bleeding from the anus, or changes in the chapter habits.
• Pap smear, is a procedure for detecting early potential for servix cancer or uterine mouth, carried out to see the existence of cancer cells or prizarna in servix. It is recommended that those aged 21-65 years and have active sexual relations. It is recommended that every 1 year up to 3 years. Done by gathering tissue samples from the cervix to then be examined in the laboratory.
II. Non Laboratory Examination

• Mammography: Radiological examination aimed at seeing the presence or absence of abnormalities that lead to cancer in the breast glands and the surrounding tissue. Examination using X-ray and especially aimed at women over the age of 35 or 40 years. This examination is quite sensitive to detect the initial sign of breast cancer. In addition to cancer this inspection can detect taled tumors of breasts, breast cysts, or calcium buildup (calcification) in breast tissue.
• Photo X-ray: Supporting checks using X-rays to display the inner condition of the body ranging from bones, joints, organs in the body (eg lungs).
• Ultrasound (ultrasonography), is an examination using ultrasonic waves to describe the structure of the inside of the body. Can be used to evaluate the part of the M body like blood vessels, joints, organs, muscles, and others.
Patient preparation and inspection material

• Samples used for laboratory examinations are blood from veins of veins, faeces and for papsmear servix tissue.
• Does not require special preparation such as fasting for blood tests, but for before conducting a Pap smear examination, it is recommended not to have sex or wash the vagina with vaginal cleaners for at least 2-3 days, so that the results of the Pap smear examination can be more accurate. This examination is also recommended to do at least 1 week after the last menstruation.
Author: Dr. Odilia Lustriana (Doctor of Medical Consulent Lab Klinik Pramita Branch Jl. M. Toha No. 163 Bandung)