Tests & Investigations topics
Tests and investigations for cancer
Read our selection of articles about medical tests and investigations that your doctor may use to help prevent cancer or confirm a diagnosis.
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea is a fund-raising event to support cancer research, prevention, education and support services.
Barium enema: lower bowel examination
Barium enema is an X-ray test that allows your doctor to examine the lower part of your bowel.
Barium swallow and barium meal tests
Both a barium swallow and a barium meal test involve a series of X-rays being taken of your upper digestive tract.
Biopsy
A biopsy is a procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed for examination to help diagnose a disease.
Breast awareness
Help detect breast cancer early by being breast aware, having regular mammograms and reporting unusual breast changes to your doctor.
Breast cancer: detection and diagnosis
Early detection of breast cancer through being 'breast aware' and mammogram screening can help the chances of surviving this cancer.
Cervical cancer: symptoms and diagnosis
If you have an abnormal Pap test result, you may need further tests for cervical cancer.
Colonoscopy: examination of the colon
A colonoscopy is an examination of the colon (large bowel), using a colonoscope a long, thin, flexible tube containing a camera and a light.
CT scan
A CT scan is a sophisticated X-ray that takes a 3-dimensional picture of any part of the body using a computer. CT scans can often replace other techniques used to diagnose, such as exploratory surgery.
CT scans (CAT scans)
CT (computed tomography) scans are a special type of X-ray that can give detailed and 3-dimensional images of the body's internal structures.
Endoscopy
In an endoscopy, a doctor looks down a thin lighted tube inserted into the body to see the internal structures.
Faecal occult blood test
Faecal occult blood test is a chemical test that can detect tiny traces of blood in the stool that may indicate the presence of disease.
Gastroscopy: examination of the upper digestive tract
Gastroscopy is an examination of the upper digestive tract (the stomach and duodenum) using a long, thin, flexible tube with a camera.
Health checks
If you never go to the doctor, you may be missing some important preventive checks that can help keep you healthy.
Health checks men should have
Check out the screening tests and examinations that healthy men should have to monitor for diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Health checks women should have
Find out about the regular screening tests and examinations that healthy women should have to monitor for diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Health checks you should have: a checklist
Healthy people can undertake many screening tests and examinations to help with detection of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is a procedure that can be used to investigate and treat a variety of conditions.
Liver biopsy
Find out what is involved when you have a liver biopsy, in which a small piece of liver tissue is removed to help doctors detect liver abnormalities.
Mammogram abnormalities
Being told your screening mammogram is abnormal can understandably be worrying, but most abnormal mammograms are not breast cancer.
Mammography
Breast cancer affects about one in 11 women under 75 years. A screening technique, known as mammography, can make early diagnosis possible.
MRI scan: magnetic resonance imaging
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a painless test used to view the inside of the body without using X-rays. It uses a large magnet, safe, low-energy radio waves and a computer to produce 2- or 3-dimensional pictures.
Nuclear medicine and radioactivity
In nuclear medicine, radioactivity provides a useful tool in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases.
Oesophageal manometry
Oesophageal manometry is a diagnostic test also known as an oesophageal function or oesophageal motility study.
Ovarian cancer screening still elusive
Women s health experts have agreed there is no evidence to support screening for women who don t have symptoms of ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer: symptoms and diagnosis
Find out about the symptoms of ovarian cancer and the various methods of diagnosing it.
Pap smear tests
The Pap smear test is used to help detect early changes in the cells of the cervix which may lead to cervical cancer.
Pap smears and colposcopy
Having regular pap smears allows detection and cure of the early stages of cancer of the cervix.
Prostate cancer screening does not reduce deaths
PSA screening for prostate cancer failed to reduce prostate cancer deaths, a study has found, adding to concern about its overall benefit.
Screening tests
Screening tests are conducted on apparently well (asymptomatic) people, just in case they have a problem.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a way of taking a look at the unborn baby without using potentially harmful X-rays.
Uterine cancer: symptoms and diagnosis
Did you know Pap tests cannot detect cancer of the uterus? Find out how uterine cancer can be diagnosed.
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea is a fund-raising event to support cancer research, prevention, education and support services.
Barium enema: lower bowel examination
Barium enema is an X-ray test that allows your doctor to examine the lower part of your bowel.
Barium swallow and barium meal tests
Both a barium swallow and a barium meal test involve a series of X-rays being taken of your upper digestive tract.
Biopsy
A biopsy is a procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed for examination to help diagnose a disease.
Breast awareness
Help detect breast cancer early by being breast aware, having regular mammograms and reporting unusual breast changes to your doctor.
Breast cancer: detection and diagnosis
Early detection of breast cancer through being 'breast aware' and mammogram screening can help the chances of surviving this cancer.
Cervical cancer: symptoms and diagnosis
If you have an abnormal Pap test result, you may need further tests for cervical cancer.
Colonoscopy: examination of the colon
A colonoscopy is an examination of the colon (large bowel), using a colonoscope a long, thin, flexible tube containing a camera and a light.
CT scan
A CT scan is a sophisticated X-ray that takes a 3-dimensional picture of any part of the body using a computer. CT scans can often replace other techniques used to diagnose, such as exploratory surgery.
CT scans (CAT scans)
CT (computed tomography) scans are a special type of X-ray that can give detailed and 3-dimensional images of the body's internal structures.
Endoscopy
In an endoscopy, a doctor looks down a thin lighted tube inserted into the body to see the internal structures.
Faecal occult blood test
Faecal occult blood test is a chemical test that can detect tiny traces of blood in the stool that may indicate the presence of disease.
Gastroscopy: examination of the upper digestive tract
Gastroscopy is an examination of the upper digestive tract (the stomach and duodenum) using a long, thin, flexible tube with a camera.
Health checks
If you never go to the doctor, you may be missing some important preventive checks that can help keep you healthy.
Health checks men should have
Check out the screening tests and examinations that healthy men should have to monitor for diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Health checks women should have
Find out about the regular screening tests and examinations that healthy women should have to monitor for diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Health checks you should have: a checklist
Healthy people can undertake many screening tests and examinations to help with detection of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is a procedure that can be used to investigate and treat a variety of conditions.
Liver biopsy
Find out what is involved when you have a liver biopsy, in which a small piece of liver tissue is removed to help doctors detect liver abnormalities.
Mammogram abnormalities
Being told your screening mammogram is abnormal can understandably be worrying, but most abnormal mammograms are not breast cancer.
Mammography
Breast cancer affects about one in 11 women under 75 years. A screening technique, known as mammography, can make early diagnosis possible.
MRI scan: magnetic resonance imaging
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a painless test used to view the inside of the body without using X-rays. It uses a large magnet, safe, low-energy radio waves and a computer to produce 2- or 3-dimensional pictures.
Nuclear medicine and radioactivity
In nuclear medicine, radioactivity provides a useful tool in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases.
Oesophageal manometry
Oesophageal manometry is a diagnostic test also known as an oesophageal function or oesophageal motility study.
Ovarian cancer screening still elusive
Women s health experts have agreed there is no evidence to support screening for women who don t have symptoms of ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer: symptoms and diagnosis
Find out about the symptoms of ovarian cancer and the various methods of diagnosing it.
Pap smear tests
The Pap smear test is used to help detect early changes in the cells of the cervix which may lead to cervical cancer.
Pap smears and colposcopy
Having regular pap smears allows detection and cure of the early stages of cancer of the cervix.
Prostate cancer screening does not reduce deaths
PSA screening for prostate cancer failed to reduce prostate cancer deaths, a study has found, adding to concern about its overall benefit.
Screening tests
Screening tests are conducted on apparently well (asymptomatic) people, just in case they have a problem.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a way of taking a look at the unborn baby without using potentially harmful X-rays.
Uterine cancer: symptoms and diagnosis
Did you know Pap tests cannot detect cancer of the uterus? Find out how uterine cancer can be diagnosed.
