detection

detection

See Cancer detection.

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Patient discussion about detection.

Q. How can you detect future alcoholism? it runs in my family and I’m very aware of it. I’ve been drinking for under a year but lately its been every weekend and I’ve recently stopped because of finals i have for school and id rather not mess them up. but i catch myself thinking what am i going to do this weekend because I’m not drinking. I’m not getting like cravings for it, like I don’t need it, but i feel as if i have nothing to do besides get drunk with my friends and walk around. is that a sign of future alcoholism?

A. it really depends on you. it start with just one, then goes to two, and so on soon you need a beer everyday, every night. its just like if you smoke need one then another, before you know it- a pack then two and so on. so i think you get the picture can it lead to alcoholism. Yes, the answer is yes

Q. How can you know if a mole is a skin cancer or not? I'm only 15, but I’ve had this small thing on my right shoulder for a reeeeaaaally long time. It's the same color as my skin. It’s smaller than the head of a pencil eraser, perfectly round, and its smooth. I've never worried about it seriously, until about a week ago, when I read an article in a magazine about skin cancer. Even then I wouldn't have worried about it, because It didn't really match any of the symptoms, except one. It did bleed once about 2 1/2 years ago. And it said bleeding was a big sign I don't know, what do you think? And please try and say something other than," go have it checked out". Because I currently have no insurance. Thanks :]

A. First off; you should know about what dermatologists call the ABCDE's of skin cancer.
A: Asymetrical. If you draw an imaginary line through it, doe both sides appear to be mirror images of each other?
B: Borders. Does the mole have irregular, jagged, or rough borders?
C: Color: Is is dark; especially black or grey or blue and has it changed colors?
D: Diameter. Is it bigger than the tip of a pencil eraser?
E: Evolving. Has any of the preceding A,B,C, or D's changed?

Ask yourself or a loved one to run those tests on it. And as had been previously said; make an appointment with your dermatologist. They would be happy to remove any moles that may be suspisious or unsightly and determine if it is cancerous or not. Milian is right; a mere month can be the difference between life and death. Melanoma is deadly. Be smart and stay safe. Hope this helped.

Q. How early can a blood test detect pregnancy? I'm about 2 weeks late & I've taken several home pregnancy tests, but all negatives. How early can a blood test detect pregnancy as opposed to an HPT?

A. There are two types of pregnancy tests. One tests the blood for the pregnancy hormone, hCG. The other checks the urine for this hormone. You can do a urine test at home with a home pregnancy test. You need to see a doctor to have blood tests.

These days, most women first use home pregnancy tests (HPT) to find out if they are pregnant. HPTs are inexpensive, private, and easy to use. Urine tests will be able to tell if you're pregnant about 2 weeks after ovulation. Some more sensitive urine tests claim that they can tell if you are pregnant as early as one day after a missed period.