Advanced Cancer Screening Clinic in Culver City Los Angeles, CA

Cancer can develop silently, but certain warning signs may signal that something is wrong in your body. While not every symptom automatically points to cancer, it’s good to know what signs to speak with a doctor about. Common warning signs of cancer include:
 
● Skin changes – It’s important to have any new moles, changes in existing moles, or unusual sores that don’t heal looked at by a healthcare provider. Skin cancer, including melanoma, often manifests through such changes in the skin.
● Unexplained weight loss – If you’re losing weight without trying, especially if you’ve lost 10 pounds or more, it may be an early sign of cancer. Unexplained weight loss is often linked to cancers of the pancreas, stomach, esophagus, or lungs.
● Unexplained, persistent fatigue – Cancer uses up the body’s nutrients, which can make you feel weak and exhausted. Feeling extremely tired all the time, even after sufficient rest, could be a sign of leukemia or other cancers.
● Changes in bowel habits – Ongoing changes, such as constant diarrhea, frequent constipation, or a change in the appearance of your stool, could be warning signs of colon or rectal cancer.
● Unusual bleeding or discharge – Noticing blood in your stool or urine can be a sign of colon cancer, bladder cancer, or kidney cancer. In addition, for women experiencing unusual bleeding or discharge, it’s important to consult a doctor to rule out cancers such as uterine or cervical cancer.

A full cancer screening involves a series of tests to detect the disease. Regular cancer screenings are essential, especially if you’re at higher risk due to a family history of certain conditions, your lifestyle, your age, or other risk factors. When cancer is detected in earlier stages, the chances that treatment will be successful are higher.
 
In addition to a medical history review, a discussion of concerns, and a physical examination, a full cancer screening also involves blood tests, imaging tests, and, in some cases, endoscopic procedures. A full cancer screening is not a one-size-fits-all approach; your doctor will personalize the screening based on your age, risk factors, and any symptoms you have reported.

In addition to basic screening methods, doctors can use a variety of advanced tests for cancer to successfully detect, diagnose, and even track the progression of the disease. A biopsy is one of the most definitive tests to confirm a cancer diagnosis.
 
When a biopsy is performed, a medical professional removes a small sample of tissue and thoroughly examines it under a microscope. For example, for cancers that affect the blood, like leukemia or lymphoma, a bone marrow biopsy is often performed to see if cancer cells are present.
 
Furthermore, a PET scan is an imaging test that helps doctors visualize metabolic activity in the body. Cancerous cells often have a higher metabolic rate than healthy cells, and PET scans can detect this increased activity. PET scans are used to detect brain cancer and lung cancer, among various other types. They can also detect if the disease has spread to other parts of the body.

At iVIE, we offer two different screening tests to detect cancer in the body: whole-body MRI scans and whole-body PET scans. A whole-body MRI is a non-invasive, radiation-free imaging test that provides detailed images of your body’s organs and tissues. This type of scan is particularly effective for detecting abnormalities in soft tissues, such as the brain, liver, kidneys, and muscles. The high-resolution images allow us to detect early changes that might otherwise go unnoticed, offering peace of mind or early intervention when necessary.
 
Unlike MRI scans, PET scans detect metabolic activity within the tissues. Due to this, PET scans are highly useful for identifying active tumors as well as tracking treatment progress.
 
At our private imaging clinic in Culver City, Los Angeles, we’re here to guide you through which cancer screening is best in your circumstances. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are located at 11600 Washington Pl, Suit 104A, Culver City, CA 90066. We serve patients from Culver City Los Angeles CA, Downtown LA, Beverly Hills CA, Marina del Rey CA, Venice CA, Santa Monica CA, and surrounding areas.