skip banner navigation
National Cancer Institute
NCI Home Cancer Topics Clinical Trials Cancer Statistics Research & Funding News About NCI
Types of Tests to Detect Cancer
Quick Links
Dictionary

Funding Opportunities

NCI Publications

NCI Calendar

Español
NCI Highlights
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

NCI Annual Progress Report on Cancer Research 2003

Women, Tobacco and Cancer: Agenda for 21st Century

Past Highlights
Need Help?
Imaging Overview
Cancer Imaging
A visual introduction to cancer imaging, featuring information about imaging technologies and their uses, imaging trials, and recent imaging developments.
Imaging Tests
Tests that produce pictures of areas inside the body
FDA Certified Mammography Facilities

HHS Affirms Value of Mammography for Detecting Breast Cancer
An updated recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force that calls for screening mammography every one to two years for women ages 40 and over.

Improving Methods for Breast Cancer Detection and Diagnosis
A fact sheet that describes digital mammography, non-x-ray imaging, ultrasound, MRI, biopsy, and other tests used to detect and diagnose breast cancer.

Mammography: Questions and Answers for Patients on Being Informed Consumers

Misconceptions Persist Among Older Women In Spite Of Rising Mammography Rates
Although breast cancer risk increases with age, more than one-third of women ages 65 and older are not as concerned about getting breast cancer as they were when they were younger, according to a newly released national telephone survey conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) in the Spring of 1999.

NCI Statement on Mammography Screening
A recent report in the scientific literature has reawakened debate about the value of screening mammograms. The analysis, which appeared in The Lancet on October 20, 2001, reviewed the large, long-term mammography trials upon which the NCI and other groups have based their recommendations and guidelines concerning mammography screening.

Screening Mammograms: Questions and Answers
A fact sheet that defines screening mammograms and their advantages and limitations. Lists incidence rates and risk factors for breast cancer.

Get a Mammogram: Do It for Yourself, Do It for Your Family

Computed Tomography (CT): Questions and Answers
A fact sheet that describes the CT scan procedure and technology and its uses in diagnostics and treatment.
Laboratory Tests
Tests that check blood, urine, and other body fluids and tissues
Pap Test: Questions and Answers
A fact sheet that describes the Pap test procedure, possible results, and the link between HPV and cervical cancer.

Pap Tests and Cervical Health: A Healthy Habit for You
An easy to read booklet about the Pap Test.

Pap Tests for Older Women
For women over 65. Includes Medicare coverage of screening.

Bethesda 2001: A Revised System for Reporting Pap Test Results Aims to Improve Cervical Cancer Screening
A revised system for reporting the results of Pap tests, published in the April 24, 2002, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, will change the way laboratories communicate with physicians about the 50 million cervical cancer screening tests performed each year in the United States.

Cervical Cancer Screening: What Vietnamese Women Should Know
A culturally-sensitive translation of a Vietnamese-language brochure about cervical cancer screening.

Interpreting Laboratory Test Results
A fact sheet that describes the role of screening and diagnostic laboratory tests and includes a brief discussion of factors affecting these results.

The Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test: Questions and Answers
A fact sheet that defines PSA and screening tests for prostate cancer and describes the benefits and limitations of the test.

Tumor Markers
A fact sheet that lists examples of tumor markers in the blood and describes how they can be used to aid diagnosis and treatment.
Other Testing Information
Cancer Genetics

Finding Ovarian Cancer Early in High-Risk Women
Information about a study that is looking at the use of two tests, the CA 125 blood test and ultrasound, to find ovarian cancer early.

What You Need To Know About™ Cancer Index
The What You Need To Know About™ Cancer publication series provides information on many types of cancer. Each publication includes information about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, emotional issues, and questions to ask your doctor. Click on the title(s) below to access the complete text or call the Cancer Information Service (CIS) at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) to order published booklets.
skip footer navigation

A Service of the National Cancer Institute
Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health FirstGov.gov