Cancer care is one of the most funded and important industries in the medical and healthcare world. Medical oncologists dedicate their career towards advancing and bettering the field and cancer centers in general. Oncology locations offer a variety of oncology services to study, diagnose, treat, and prevent cancer.

Thanks to the work that’s been done, the majority of cancer survivors (64%) were diagnosed 5 or more years ago and nearly half (46%) are 70-years-old or older. The methods oncology locations use to diagnose cancer varies. Here are four of the most common that could mean the difference between life and death.

1. Biopsy: A biopsy or resection is currently the primary method most oncology locations use to diagnose cancer in patients. This process involves the actual removal of a suspicious growth, which is then evaluated and tested to see if it is indeed cancerous or simply benign.
2. Endoscopy: On the other end of the spectrum there’s the endoscopy, which is when the oncologist will look inside a patient using an endoscope. This can be done in conjunction with a biopsy to better determine exactly the area that needs to be removed.
3. Radiology: There are a few different types that fall under the radiology umbrella. X-rays, MRI scanning, CT scanning, and ultrasound are a few of the most popular. Again these methods are typically used to support a biopsy.
4. Blood Tests: Blood tests can reveal what’s known as “tumor markers.” These are found in the blood, urine, or body tissue and are usually tumor antigens.

The best oncology locations will ultimately utilize a combination of these methods to successfully and accurately determine whether or not cancer is present in a tumor or suspicious growth. Finding cancer in the earliest stages is of course crucial to the success rate/ life expectancy of a patient.

For example, approximately 90% of all prostate cancers are detected in the local and regional stages. As a result, the cure rate for prostate cancer is very high. Nearly 100% of men diagnosed at this stage will be disease-free after five years. If you think you might be at risk, don’t waste any time. Get to an oncology location today.