Cancer is a serious disease that claims many lives worldwide each year. Early detection of cancer is key to curative treatment and increasing survival chances.
In this article, we will introduce you to 10 modern and highly effective cancer screening methods, such as Multi-Cancer Screening, which analyzes genetic data with high accuracy and rapid processing. This allows cancer to be detected at an early stage by identifying gene abnormalities and can reduce patient mortality rates.
Understanding Multi-Cancer Screening: A Cancer Screening Method
Multi-Cancer Screening is a new form of cancer screening that uses advanced technology like Next-Generation Sequencing to analyze proteins in the blood. It detects genetic cancer markers from cancer cells released into the bloodstream (Circulating Tumor DNA: ctDNA), which can accurately detect molecular changes indicating cancer development. This is done with just one blood draw, without surgery or invasive procedures.
This method provides comprehensive results, enabling doctors to quickly plan treatment. Multi-Cancer Screening is therefore considered a modern cancer screening innovation that is easy, convenient, and effective.
Multi-Cancer Screening Can Screen for Up to 10 Types of Cancer at Once
The highlight of Multi-Cancer Screening is its ability to screen for up to 10 types of cancer, all of which are common and among the leading causes of death in Thailand, including:
1. Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most common cancers in Thailand, more frequently found in men than women. The exact cause is unknown, but several factors may contribute to its development, such as aging (usually over 55 years old), smoking, obesity, diabetes, and chronic pancreatitis.
Cancer screening can detect pancreatic cancer even at an early stage, which is crucial because pancreatic cancer often shows no symptoms initially.
- Detected earlier than traditional Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) tests
- Reduces the need for frequent CT scans or MRIs
- Increases chances of curative treatment if detected early
2. Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is common and has a high mortality rate, especially among smokers. Multi-Cancer Screening can detect lung cancer even before symptoms appear, whereas most lung cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage, making treatment difficult.
- Reduces the need for frequent chest X-rays
- Can be used regularly for high-risk groups without harm
3. Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is common in both men and women. Early detection allows for curative treatment. Multi-Cancer Screening effectively screens for this type of cancer.
- Reduces the need for frequent colonoscopies
- Suitable for those who are uncomfortable or afraid of colonoscopy
4. Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Thai women. Early detection allows timely treatment and reduces loss. It is an effective tool for breast cancer screening in addition to mammograms.
- Can screen younger women with dense breast tissue
- Painless compared to mammograms
- Can be done frequently without radiation risk
5. Gastric Cancer
Gastric cancer is another group of cancers with unclear causes. Several risk factors include aging, dietary and lifestyle habits. People who regularly consume smoked, pickled, or salty foods have a higher risk, as do smokers, alcohol drinkers, and those lacking fruits and vegetables.
Additionally, infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which causes inflammation and ulcers in the stomach, may increase the risk of gastric cancer. Multi-Cancer Screening helps detect abnormalities early, allowing for early treatment and reducing serious risks.
- Reduces the need for CT scans
- Painless compared to barium swallow tests
- Can reduce costs of frequent endoscopic screenings
If you experience stomach discomfort, indigestion, bloating after meals, or frequent heartburn, you should consult a doctor promptly.
6. Liver and Bile Duct Cancer
Liver and bile duct cancers often show no symptoms early on and have no distinct signs, causing many to realize the disease only at an advanced stage, which is difficult to treat and has a high mortality rate. Major causes include lifestyle factors such as eating raw fish or fermented fish containing liver flukes, heavy alcohol consumption, and hepatitis B and C infections. Diagnosis usually requires time and multiple tests. Multi-Cancer Screening saves time, reduces costs, and decreases hospital visits.
- Reduces the need for ultrasound and CT scans
- Suitable for those with time constraints
7. Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is the second most common cancer in women after breast cancer but is the leading cause of death among gynecologic cancers. Early detection at stage 1 has a cure rate of up to 90%. Therefore, Multi-Cancer Screening is important as it helps reduce loss.
- Allows planning for cancer prevention and increases chances of cure
- Suitable for those with a family history of cancer
The exact cause of ovarian cancer is unknown, but risk factors include family history, never having children or having few children, early menstruation, late menopause, hormone replacement therapy, and aging.
8. Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer is another cancer to watch for, with a high incidence rate, ranking 8th worldwide. In Thailand, cancer statistics from 2022 show about 3,400 new cases and approximately 3,200 deaths annually. Most patients are men aged 55-65.
Esophageal cancer occurs when cancer cells in the esophagus multiply and form tumors. Many do not notice symptoms until the cancer has spread. Multi-Cancer Screening can detect abnormal cancer cells early.
Did you know? The esophagus can stretch to allow swallowing of large food pieces, so you may not feel symptoms when tumors are small. When tumors grow larger, they begin to block the esophagus, causing difficulty swallowing, which indicates advanced cancer that is harder to treat.
9. Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer is common in postmenopausal women, with 95% of cases occurring in women aged 40 and above. Postmenopausal women have a higher risk, as do those with early menstruation, late menopause, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and those who have never been pregnant. Such individuals should undergo Multi-Cancer Screening.
- Easy to test without tissue sampling or invasive procedures
- Reduces costs of transvaginal ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI
10. Head and Neck Cancer
Currently, most head and neck cancer patients visit doctors only after the disease has advanced, making treatment more complicated and less effective. Only one-third seek early medical advice. Early detection through Multi-Cancer Screening helps prevent spread and improves treatment outcomes.
Today, Multi-Cancer Screening can screen for up to 10 types of cancer at once, serving as a valuable tool for doctors to diagnose and plan treatment quickly and accurately, reducing risks and increasing treatment success.
Who Is Suitable for the Multi-Cancer Screening Program?
Multi-Cancer Screening is beneficial for various groups, but there are 5 main target groups who should especially consider screening:
1. High-Risk Groups
Individuals with risk factors for cancer should undergo regular Multi-Cancer Screening, including:
- Those with a family history of cancer, especially these 10 types
- Smokers or regular alcohol drinkers
- Those with chronic diseases increasing cancer risk, such as hepatitis B or C, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, or diabetes
- Those working in environments with carcinogens, such as certain industrial factories
2. People Aged 40 and Above
Cancer risk increases with age. Therefore, those aged 40 and above should consider annual cancer screening even without symptoms because:
- Many cancers show no symptoms early on
- Early detection increases chances of cure
- Annual screening helps track changes compared to previous years
3. People with Symptoms Possibly Related to Cancer
Individuals with symptoms that may signal cancer should undergo Multi-Cancer Screening for preliminary screening. These symptoms may include:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Unusual fatigue or weakness
- Unusual lumps in the body
- Chronic cough or blood in sputum
- Abnormal bleeding, such as bloody stools or irregular menstruation
4. People Who Want Preventive Health Care
Even without risk factors or symptoms, individuals aged 18 and above who care about their health can benefit from Multi-Cancer Screening, which screens multiple cancers at once, provides quick results, and reduces anxiety. Annual screening helps detect abnormalities early before symptoms appear, reducing severity and loss effectively.
Accuracy of Multi-Cancer Screening
Studies show that Multi-Cancer Screening can accurately screen for cancer.
- Sensitivity up to 73.9%* means the ability to detect cancer in those who truly have it
- Specificity 9% means the ability to identify those who do not have cancer correctly
Advantages of Multi-Cancer Screening: Why Choose It?
- Can screen multiple cancers at once screening for 10 major cancers simultaneously, saving time and costs compared to separate tests
- Non-invasive and no tissue sampling uses only blood samples, causing no pain or discomfort
- High accuracy with high sensitivity and specificity, reducing misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment
- Detects cancer at early stages allowing curative treatment and increasing survival rates up to 90-95%
- Reduces long-term costs early detection lowers treatment expenses that may increase if cancer is found at advanced stages
Things to Know Before Multi-Cancer Screening
Multi-Cancer Screening is suitable for those seeking preventive health care without suspected cancer symptoms. The results can be used to plan risk reduction and save future treatment costs.
Multi-Cancer Screening may not be suitable for those with symptoms
- Unexplained weight loss of 6 kg or more in 6 months
- Persistent pain in the right upper abdomen or epigastric pain that does not improve
- Continuous cough for more than 3 weeks that does not improve
- Abnormal bleeding or nipple discharge
- Abnormal bowel habits for 3+ weeks (diarrhea, constipation, bloody stools)
Limitations
Multi-Cancer Screening does not provide a 100% definitive cancer diagnosis but helps assess risk levels to guide risk reduction planning.
Multi-Cancer Screening: A Tool to Reduce Cancer Risk
Multi-Cancer Screening is a highly effective cancer screening innovation that can detect 10 major cancers simultaneously from a single blood sample. It is highly accurate, convenient, and safe, making it an attractive option for preventive health care.
