Most women are already familiar with the pap smear to screen for cervical cancer.
This test has been incorporated into most women's regular physical exam for many years. But Stockdale concedes that knowing which test to take and when can be confusing to the public and a matter of judgment that each person should discuss with his or her physician. A combination of age, family history, overall health profile, lifestyle and even type of health insurance can all factor in to a safe, realistic decision about screening, he says. Patients provide a sample in a doctor's office or mail stool samples from home to a lab, and the results form an 'early warning' system that is useful in conjunction with family history and a physical exam. This test develops a profile over time, so it's important to return at regular intervals to see if changes in the results are pointing toward prostate disease, he says.