What is screening?

Bladder cancer screening is a procedure that looks for cancer before a person exhibits any symptoms. This can aid in the detection of cancer at an early stage. It may be easier to treat aberrant tissue or cancer if it is discovered early. Cancer may have already spread by the time symptoms occur.

Scientists are trying to figure out who is more likely to develop particular types of cancer. They also look at what we do and what we are exposed to to determine if it causes cancer. This data assists clinicians in determining who should be screened for cancer, which screening tests should be utilized, and how frequently the tests should be performed.

It's crucial to understand that just because your doctor advises a screening test doesn't mean he or she thinks you have cancer. When you have no symptoms of cancer, you will be given a screening test.

If the results of a screening test are abnormal, you may require additional testing to determine whether you have cancer. Diagnostic tests are what they're called.

Also Read: Latest Research On Bladder Cancer

Screening for Bladder and Other Urothelial Cancers

KEY POINTS-

• When a person has no symptoms, tests are conducted to screen for several types of cancer.
• For bladder cancer, there is no standard or routine screening test.
• Hematuria tests have been investigated as a method of detecting bladder cancer.
• In people who have previously had bladder cancer, two tests may be performed to screen for the disease:

(i) Cystoscopy

(ii) cytology of urine

• Clinical trials are being conducted to investigate screening tests for bladder and other urothelial malignancies.

Tests are used to screen for different types of cancer when a person does not have symptoms.

Scientists research screening tests to see which ones do the least harm and provide the most advantages. Cancer screening trials are also designed to see if early detection (identifying cancer before symptoms appear) helps people live longer or reduces their risk of dying from the disease. When it comes to certain types of cancer, the earlier the disease is detected and treated, the higher the chances of recovery.

For bladder cancer, there is no standard or routine screening test.

Hematuria tests have been studied as a way to screen for bladder cancer.

Cancer or other illnesses can produce hematuria (red blood cells in the urine). A hematuria test examines a sample of urine under a microscope or using a particular test strip to look for blood. The test can be repeated as needed.

Two tests may be used to screen for bladder cancer in patients who have had bladder cancer in the past:

Cystoscopy-

Cystoscopy is a procedure that examines the inside of the bladder and urethra for abnormalities. A cystoscope (a thin, illuminated tube) is introduced into the bladder through the urethra. Biopsies may be performed on tissue samples.

Urine cytology-

Urine cytology is a laboratory test that examines a sample of urine for abnormal cells under a microscope.

Risks of Screening for Bladder and Other Urothelial Cancers

KEY POINTS

• There are dangers associated with screening tests.
• It is possible to have false-positive test findings.
• It's possible to have false-negative test results.

Screening tests have risks

It can be challenging to make decisions about screening testing. Not all screening tests are beneficial, and the majority of them carry dangers. Before undergoing any screening test, you should talk to your doctor about it. It's crucial to understand the test's hazards and whether it's been demonstrated to minimize the risk of death because of cancer.

False-positive test results can occur

Even if no cancer is present, screening test results may appear abnormal. A false-positive test result (one that indicates there is cancer when there isn't) can be stressful, and it's frequently followed by extra testing (such as a cystoscopy or other invasive procedures), which come with their own set of hazards. Hematuria testing frequently yields false-positive results; blood in the urine is mainly caused by problems other than cancer.

False-negative test results can occur

Even if bladder cancer is present, screening test results may appear normal. Even if there are symptoms, a person who receives a false-negative test result (one that suggests there is no cancer when there is) may delay seeking medical help.

Your doctor can tell you if you're at risk for bladder cancer and if you need to get screened.

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Reference:

1. Fradet Y. Screening for bladder cancer: the best opportunity to reduce mortality. Can Urol Assoc J. 2009 Dec;3(6 Suppl 4): S180-3. doi: 10.5489/cuaj.1192. PMID: 20019981; PMCID: PMC2792451.
2. Cumberbatch MGK, Noon AP. Epidemiology, aetiology and screening of bladder cancer. Transl Androl Urol. 2019 Feb;8(1):5-11. doi: 10.21037/tau.2018.09.11. PMID: 30976562; PMCID: PMC6414346.