How is cancer diagnosed?

Either by some symptom (something unusual you feel or notice about yourself - i.e. Pain) or sign (something your doctor notices during an evaluation - i.e. Tenderness on exam) or through a screening test. We currently have approved screeing tests for cervical, breast, colon/rectal, and prostate cancers.

In many ways: Cancer can be suspected due to symptoms or findings (a growing lump, coughing blood, low blood counts, sever weight loss). However, a definite diagnosis requires a biopsy of a suspected lump or mass (breast cancer or lymphoma); or a review of the blood or bone marrow biopsy (blood cancers).