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Cancer Screening Glossary

100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026

HPV testing HPV

Intermediate Technical IVT

Molecular test that detects high-risk human papillomavirus strains associated with cervical cancer development.

Showing 49–72 of 100

LDCT

Advanced Technical IVT

Low-radiation CT scanning technique used for lung cancer screening in high-risk individuals.

Technical Term Full entry →

lead time bias

Advanced Technical IVT

A systematic error in screening studies where earlier detection appears to improve survival without actually affecting d...

Technical Term Full entry →

LEEP

Professional Technical IVT

Loop electrosurgical excision procedure; a treatment method for removing abnormal cervical tissue using an electrical wi...

Abbreviation Full entry →

length time bias

Advanced Technical IVT

Screening bias where slow-growing tumors are disproportionately detected, creating apparent survival benefit.

Technical Term Full entry →

liquid-based cytology

Intermediate Technical IVT

Method of preparing cervical cell samples using liquid medium rather than direct smear technique for improved specimen q...

Technical Term Full entry →

low-dose computed tomography

Intermediate Technical IVT

Specialized CT imaging technique using reduced radiation exposure, primarily used for lung cancer screening in high-risk...

Technical Term Full entry →

LSIL

Intermediate Technical IVT

Cytological finding indicating mild cervical cellular changes typically caused by HPV infection with low cancer risk.

Technical Term Full entry →

mammography

Intermediate Technical IVT

X-ray imaging of the breast used for early cancer detection and diagnostic evaluation.

Technical Term Full entry →

molecular biomarker

Advanced Technical IVT

Measurable biological molecule that indicates normal or abnormal cellular processes and can guide screening or treatment...

Technical Term Full entry →

MQSA

Professional Technical IVT

Federal legislation establishing quality standards and certification requirements for mammography facilities and personn...

Legal Term Full entry →

multidisciplinary team

Intermediate Formal IVT

A collaborative group of healthcare specialists who work together to coordinate cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatme...

Technical Term Full entry →

multitarget stool DNA test

Advanced Technical IVT

Advanced colorectal cancer screening test that analyzes stool samples for DNA mutations, methylation markers, and hemogl...

Technical Term Full entry →

NNS

Advanced Technical IVT

Number Needed to Screen, the number of people who must be screened to prevent one cancer death.

Abbreviation Full entry →

nodal staging

Advanced Technical IVT

Assessment of lymph node involvement to determine cancer stage and guide treatment decisions.

Clinical Practice Full entry →

opportunistic screening

Intermediate Technical IVT

Cancer screening performed during routine healthcare visits rather than through systematic population-based programs.

Technical Term Full entry →

organized screening program

Professional Formal IVT

Population-based cancer screening initiative with systematic invitation, quality assurance, and centralized coordination...

Technical Term Full entry →

overdiagnosis

Advanced Technical IVT

Detection of cancers through screening that would never have caused symptoms or death during a person's lifetime.

Technical Term Full entry →

overscreening

Intermediate Technical IVT

Screening individuals more frequently than recommended guidelines or beyond evidence-based intervals.

Clinical Practice Full entry →

pack-year history

Intermediate Technical IVT

A standardized measure of cigarette smoking exposure calculated by multiplying packs smoked per day by years of smoking.

Technical Term Full entry →

patient navigation

Intermediate Formal IVT

Supportive intervention providing individualized assistance to help patients overcome barriers to timely cancer screenin...

Technical Term Full entry →

PCNA

Intermediate Formal

Patient Care Network Administrator or Primary Care Network Administrator responsible for coordinating screening program...

Healthcare Role Full entry →

phantom study

Intermediate Technical IVT

Quality assurance test using artificial objects that simulate human tissue to evaluate medical imaging equipment perform...

Quality Assurance Full entry →

PICO

Intermediate Technical IVT

Structured framework for formulating clinical research questions: Patient/Problem, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome.

Research Methodology Full entry →

polyp

Intermediate Technical IVT

Abnormal tissue growth projecting from a mucous membrane surface, often detected during colonoscopy screening.

Technical Term Full entry →
Showing 49–72 of 100

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