It’s now possible to detect some cancers early — before symptoms even appear.
By finding cancer early, we can offer more treatment options and walk you through each step with clarity and confidence. Our goal is simple — to help you avoid advanced-stage cancer and live a longer, healthier life.
Cleveland Clinic’s Early Cancer Detection Program opens new doors for finding cancer earlier. Through a combination of routine and advanced screenings, blood and genetic testing and personalized guidance, our dedicated team will make sure you get expert care you can trust.
Early cancer detection isn’t just one test. It’s a full range of tools — from routine screenings to genetic testing — all coordinated to fit your needs. Whether you’re managing a family history of cancer or just want peace of mind, we tailor your plan to your specific risk factors and goals.
To improve outcomes and reduce the impact of cancer, our program focuses on five key areas. This includes cancer screening, actionable findings, cancer early detection testing, germline genetic testing and cancer prevention.
Specialists in medicine, oncology, radiology, genetics and preventive medicine lead our cancer detection team. We’ve designed a full-spectrum approach to detect cancer early and guide your care. Meet our team.
We’re helping to shape how new blood-based cancer detection tests are used safely and effectively. You’ll benefit from our clinical insight and up-to-date guidance.
If getting to your provider’s office is tough, you might be able to have a virtual visit for some appointments. You’ll get the same great care, but from the comfort and convenience of home.
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Screening is one of the most powerful tools we have for finding cancer early — sometimes, before you notice symptoms. At Cleveland Clinic, we customize your cancer screening plan based on your personal and family medical histories, lifestyle and risk level.
You’ll begin by talking with a provider who specializes in cancer prevention and early detection. They’ll ask about your personal and family history of cancer and any symptoms you’ve noticed. They’ll also go over any previous screening results. If you’re due for a breast or colon exam, your provider will help coordinate referrals as part of your cancer screening process. They’ll even go over lifestyle factors that may influence your cancer risk.
Routine screenings — like colonoscopies, mammograms, Pap smears and low-dose CT scans — help detect some of the most common cancers early, often before symptoms appear. They’re part of regular preventive care. If you have a higher risk or a strong family history of cancer, we may also recommend genetic testing or blood tests. We’ll explain what each test can and can’t tell you, so you feel confident in your care plan.
Early detection tests go a step further. They help find signs of cancer, especially if you’re at a higher risk for cancers that don’t have standard screening tests.
Depending on your individual risk, we may recommend a multi-cancer early detection blood test, such as the Galleri® test (developed by Grail) or Cancerguard® test (from Exact Sciences). These tests look for signs of cancer in your blood, such as changes in your DNA or proteins, that may suggest cancer is present.
Hereditary cancer testing, also known as a germline test, looks for inherited genetic changes in your DNA that may increase your risk of certain cancers. Because these changes are present from birth and can be passed from parent to child, the results of this test can help you better understand your cancer risk and guide recommendations for screening, prevention and testing for family members.
Sometimes, a test is done to see what’s causing a symptom, and it ends up showing something unexpected and unrelated to the symptom. For example, you might have a chest scan for chest pain, and the image shows a small spot on your lung (lung nodule).
These are called actionable findings. When a finding is “actionable,” it means your care team will review it and decide if more testing or monitoring is needed. Most of the time, these kinds of findings aren’t anything to worry about, but every once in a while, they can be a sign of an early-stage cancer.
That’s where the Cleveland Clinic Early Cancer Detection Program comes in. We make sure unexpected findings from tests — even ones done for other reasons — are carefully reviewed. And if something needs a closer look, we’ll help guide the next steps. It’s one more way we’re working to catch cancer early, when it’s most treatable.
When you come to Cleveland Clinic for early cancer detection, you’ll have an entire team of specialists who’ll provide complete, coordinated care. You may see:
Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio.
Our program also includes guidance about cancer prevention and healthy lifestyle choices. Your care plan may include:
Early cancer detection is an ongoing process. Our team will help you stay on track with future screenings, watch for any changes over time and adjust your care plan as needed.
If your risk changes — or we find something concerning — we’ll make sure you have a clear, supportive treatment plan.
You don’t have to wait for symptoms to appear to take charge of your health. Our early cancer detection program offers more than just a single test. It’s a comprehensive, personalized approach that supports you every step of the way. Our compassionate team listens, supports and provides trusted guidance and expert care. From providing reassurance and clarity to potentially developing a tailored treatment plan, we’re dedicated to your well-being.
Getting an appointment with Cleveland Clinic’s early cancer detection experts is easy. We’ll help you get the care you need.
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Learning you have cancer can be stressful, shocking and challenging. From the moment you get the news, you're a survivor. As you face the challenges that go along with cancer treatment and recovery — physical and emotional — we’ll be right there with you.
At Cleveland Clinic, survivorship care is one part of your journey. We offer a wide range of services, resources, clinics and support groups to help with any physical, emotional, financial and spiritual needs you might have related to your cancer diagnosis. Lending a helping hand along the way, we want you not only to survive but thrive on this journey and beyond.
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