Early Detection & Diagnosis
Discovering cancer at the earliest stages offers the best opportunity for successful treatment. Northwest Health is committed to promoting early detection through screenings and diagnostic services. Whether it’s offering screening exams or holding education events in the community, an important part of our care focuses on prevention and education.
Among the advanced diagnostic technologies provided are:
- Advanced imaging technology – Computerized tomography (CT or CAT scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound imaging (or sonography) and other advanced imaging technologies provide a detailed picture of internal organs and tissues to detect cancer. Visit this page to learn more about lung cancer screenings (low-dose lung CT scanning).
- Breast cancer detection – Northwest Health offers sophisticated breast imaging technologies which can play an important role in early detection of breast cancer. The Northwest Breast Imaging Center at Willow Creek was the first in Northwest Arkansas to offer breast tomosynthesis, also called 3D mammography, to detect breast cancer. Learn more about breast care here.
- Biopsy – Biopsies determine whether cells are cancerous and, if so, determine the type and stage of cancer. Advanced imaging technology — such as MRI, CT and ultrasound — are often combined with minimally invasive techniques to obtain tissue samples.
Screening Tests
You should talk with your doctor about when and how often you should be screened for various types of cancer. Depending on your personal health history, family health history or screening results, a physician may recommend a screening schedule that is different than the general guidelines.
A screening exam means that you are checking your body for cancer before you have any symptoms. Getting screening tests regularly may find breast, cervical and colorectal (colon) cancers in their earliest stages, when it’s easier to cure. Lung cancer screening is recommended for some people who are at high risk.