Screening
Cancer screening tests are designed to detect cancer at an early, asymptomatic stage, when treatment is more likely to be effective. A screening test is considered effective when it:
- Identifies cancer early in its development
- Lowers cancer-related mortality among individuals who undergo regular screening
- Provides overall benefit that outweighs potential harms, such as physical complications (e.g., bleeding or tissue injury), false-positive or false-negative results, and the risks of overdiagnosis and overtreatment where cancers that would not have caused clinical harm are unnecessarily diagnosed and treated
This balance between early detection and minimizing harm is central to the value of any cancer screening program.
Effective and Recommended Cancer Screening Tests
Several cancer screening tests are effective and are widely recommended based on evidence demonstrating their ability to detect cancer early, reduce cancer-related mortality, and provide benefits that outweigh potential harms.
- Oral and head & neck cancers (especially in tobacco, betel nut, or alcohol users).
- Breast cancer.
- Cervical cancer.
- Colorectal (colon and rectal) cancer.
- Lung cancer (in high-risk individuals, such as long-term smokers).
In addition, screening may be recommended or considered for selected populations at increased risk for:
- Prostate cancer.
- Liver cancer (in individuals with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis).
- Skin cancer (in high-risk individuals).
These screening strategies enable early detection, improve treatment outcomes, and ultimately save lives.
At Shifa Social Welfare, the Cancer Screening Program is led by experts in their respective fields who also develop validated screening tools and evidence-based algorithms. The program is further strengthened by the inclusion of a patient advocate, ensuring that all screening strategies remain patient-centered, ethical, and aligned with best clinical practices.
Small Gifts, Big Changes
Empowering Lives Through Early Cancer Screening
OUR TEAM
Cancer Screening & Prevention
Program Experts
Dr Sharjeel Chaudhry
Dr Zarmina Ehtesham
Dr Muhammad Yamin Chaudhry
Patient Advocates
