Definition

A test that checks for a disease or condition before symptoms appear. Screening tests may help find diseases at an early stage, when they may be easier to treat or cure. Examples of cancer screening tests include mammography (for breast cancer), colonoscopy (for colorectal cancer), and Pap tests and HPV tests (for cervical cancer). Screening tests may also include genetic tests to look for changes in genes or chromosomes. These changes may be a sign that a person has or is at risk of developing a specific disease or condition.