Pathophysiology
Clinical meaning
Cancer screening relies on detecting cellular dysplasia and neoplastic transformation before clinical symptoms develop. Cervical cancer screening identifies precancerous changes in squamous epithelial cells through Pap smear cytology, while HPV testing detects oncogenic viral DNA integrated into the host cell genome. Colorectal screening with colonoscopy permits identification and removal of adenomatous polyps before the adenoma-carcinoma sequence progresses to invasive malignancy. Cardiovascular risk screening targets endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerotic plaque formation, processes driven by lipid accumulation, smooth muscle proliferation, and chronic inflammatory cell infiltration within arterial walls.