Cancer Screening and Early Detection Flashcards

According to current ONCC guidelines, which imaging modality is recommended for lung cancer screening in high-risk individuals?

Answer: Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) annually

Low-dose CT (LDCT) of the chest is recommended annually for high-risk individuals (ages 50–80, 20 pack-year smoking history, current or former smoker who quit within 15 years) based on USPSTF and NCCN guidelines, as it significantly reduces lung cancer mortality.

Which of the following tumor markers is most useful in the early detection and monitoring of ovarian cancer?

Answer: CA-125

CA-125 is the primary serum biomarker used in ovarian cancer detection and monitoring. While not recommended for population screening due to low specificity, it is valuable in high-risk patients and for monitoring response to treatment.

The Bethesda System is used to classify results from which cancer screening test?

Answer: Pap smear (cervical cytology)

The Bethesda System provides standardized terminology for reporting cervical cytology (Pap smear) results, categorizing findings from normal to high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), which guides clinical management.

At what age does the American Cancer Society recommend initiating average-risk colorectal cancer screening?

Answer: 45 years

The American Cancer Society updated its guideline in 2018 to recommend colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 45 for average-risk adults, lowered from the previous recommendation of 50 years, due to increasing rates in younger adults.

Which genetic mutation significantly elevates the lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancer, prompting enhanced surveillance protocols?

Answer: BRCA1/BRCA2

Pathogenic variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes confer a lifetime breast cancer risk of 50–72% and ovarian cancer risk of 17–44%. Carriers require enhanced screening including annual MRI and mammography beginning at age 25–30.

Which HPV strains are considered high-risk and are most commonly associated with cervical cancer?

Answer: HPV 16 and 18

HPV types 16 and 18 are the most oncogenic high-risk strains, responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancers and a significant proportion of oropharyngeal, anal, vulvar, vaginal, and penile cancers.