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Prevention and Screening

Cancer screening exams can help to detect cancer early on, when the chances for successfully treating the disease are greatest. Learn more about when to get an exam depending on your personal situation and history. Our Cancer Treatment and Infusion Center recommends screening exams for many different kinds of cancers.

Breast cancer screening

Breast cancer screening exams help find breast cancer at an early stage, giving you a better chance for successful treatment if you have this disease. Along with regular exams, being familiar with your breasts can help you notice changes like a new lump or mass and so you can report them to your doctor without delay.

The screening recommendations below apply to most women:

  • Age 20 to 39: Clinical breast exam every one to three years, during which a healthcare provider checks for lumps or other changes
  • Age 40 to 75: Clinical breast exam and mammogram every year

You’re at increased risk for breast cancer if you fall under one or more of these groups:

  • History of radiation treatment of the chest
  • Genetic mutation, including an abnormality in the BRCA 1 or BRCA2 genes, CDH1, Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome

Cervical cancer screening

Make sure you get a well-woman checkup every year even if you don’t need a screening exam. If you’ve had the HPV vaccine, you still need to be screened. Along with regular exams, practice awareness. This means you should be familiar with your body and notice changes such as irregular bleeding or discharge, so you can report them to your doctor without delay.

The screening recommendations below apply to most women:

  • Age 21 to 29: Pap test every three years
  • Age 30 to 64: Pap test and human papilloma virus (HPV) test every five years or Pap test every three years
  • Age 65 or older: You may not need additional exams if you’ve had no unusual Pap or HPV test results in the past 10 years

If you’ve have had a hysterectomy but have not had cervical cancer or severe cervical dysplasia, you should speak with your doctor about continued screening if your hysterectomy included removal of the cervix. You should get a Pap test and HPV test every five years if your hysterectomy didn’t include removal of the cervix.

You’re at increased risk for cervical cancer if you fall under one or more of these groups:

  • History of severe cervical dysplasia, which is a precancerous condition
  • Persistent HPV infection after age 30
  • An immune system that doesn’t function properly, such as organ transplant recipients and those taking medications to suppress their immune system
  • History of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
  • Diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure before birth

Colorectal cancer screening

Colorectal cancer is usually accompanied by symptoms such as rectal bleeding or unusual bowel movements. If you’ve noticed these problems, report them to your doctor immediately.

The screening recommendations below apply to most adults:

  • Age 50 or older: Follow ONE of the screening options below:
    • Colonoscopy every 10 years
    • Virtual colonoscopy (also called computed tomographic colonography) every five years, and a colonoscopy if polyps are found
    • Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) every year: This take-home test finds hidden blood in the stool. This may be a sign of cancer. If your doctor finds blood in your stool, you will need a colonoscopy to find out the cause.

The colonoscopy and virtual colonoscopy exams are both preferred by our oncologists. These exams can find abnormal colon polyps before they turn into cancer. Your doctor can help you decide if you should continue screening after age 75.

If you choose a virtual colonoscopy, check with your insurance provider before scheduling an exam. Not all insurance providers cover the cost of this exam.

You’re at increased or high risk if you fall under one or more of these groups:

  • Personal history of precancerous colon polyps (adenomas)
  • Family history of colorectal cancer or precancerous polyps (adenomas) — in other words, a family member had or has colorectal cancer or precancerous polyps.
  • Personal history of or suspected familial adenomatous polyposis yet having undergone genetic testing
  • Personal or family history of Lynch syndrome hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (chronic ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)

Endometrial cancer screening

At this time, endometrial cancer (uterine cancer) screening is recommended only for women at increased risk. That’s because they have a higher chance of getting the disease. You may be at risk of this kind of cancer if you have noticed changes such as irregular bleeding or discharge. These symptoms should be reported to your doctor right away.

You’re also at increased risk if you’ve been diagnosed with or have a family history Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer).

If so, you should follow the screening schedule below:

  • Transvaginal ultrasound every year
  • Endometrial biopsy every year

Check with your insurance provider before scheduling an exam. Not all insurance providers cover the cost of these exams.

Liver cancer screening

At this time, live cancer screening is recommended only for adults at increased risk. For those at risk, practicing awareness can help. Changes like jaundice or weight loss should be reported to your doctor right away.

You’re at increased risk if you have chronic hepatitis B infection or cirrhosis of the liver.

Below are medical conditions that may eventually increase your risks for cirrhosis of the liver:

  • Chronic hepatitis C infection
  • Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)
  • Inherited metabolic disease, including:
    • Hemochromatosis
    • Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
    • Glycogen storage disease
    • Porphyria cutanea tarda
    • Tryosinemia
  • Autoimmune hepatitis
  • Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

If you have any of these conditions, speak with your doctor. They can decide if you need certain exams to evaluate your liver cancer risks. Patients at with an increased risk age 21 to 75 should undergo a liver ultrasound every six months and an Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) blood test every six months.

Check with your insurance provider before scheduling an exam. Not all insurance providers cover the cost of these exams.

Lung cancer screening

You should get screened for lung cancer if you are a current smoker (or former smoker who quit in the past 15 years) or you have a 30-pack-year smoking history (for example, one pack a day for 30 years or two packs a day for 15 years).

If you fall into this group and are age 55 to 74, you should have alow-dose computerized tomography (CT or CAT scan) every year.

Check with your insurance provider before scheduling an exam. Not all insurance providers cover the cost of this exam.

Along with regular exams, practice awareness. This means you should be familiar with your body. That way you’ll notice changes, like a cough that doesn’t go away or chest pain. Report those changes to your doctor without delay.

Ovarian cancer screening

Those at risk of ovarian cancer should be aware of symptoms such as abdominal discomfort or pain. They should be reported to your doctor without delay.

You should get screened for ovarian cancer if you have one of the following:

  • BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations
  • Suspected risk of BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations
  • One close relative with ovarian cancer who has a suspected BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation
  • Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer)

If you fall into any of these groups, ask your doctor when to start the screening schedule below:

  • Transvaginal ultrasound every six to 12 months
  • CA 125 blood test every six to 12 months

If you have BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, you should get these exams every six months.

Talk to your doctor about surgery to remove your fallopian tubes and ovaries. This surgery is strongly recommended for women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations after they’ve had children.

Check with your insurance provider before scheduling an exam. Not all insurance providers cover the cost of these exams.

Prostate cancer

Most men are at risk for prostate cancer later on in their lives. If you have noticed changes like irregular urination, report them to your doctor without delay.

The screening recommendations below apply to most men:

  • Age 40 to 75: You should discuss screening risks and benefits with a healthcare provider. If you choose to be screened, undergo a digital rectal exam and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test every year.
  • Age 76 or older: Your doctor can help you decide if you still need prostate screening.

You’re at increased risk if you fall under one or more of these groups:

  • Family history (especially father, brother, son) of prostate cancer
  • African-American

Skin cancer

Skin cancer can affect just about anyone. Being familiar with your body can help you get started on treatment quickly before the problem gets any worse.

Promptly show your doctor any:

  • Suspicious skin area
  • Sore that doesn’t heal
  • Change in a mole or freckle

Get a full-body skin cancer screening exam every year if you identify with one or more of the groups below:

  • Inherited risks
    • Red hair and freckles
    • Albinism
    • More than 50 moles
    • Family history of melanoma
    • Genetic syndromes that make you sensitive to the sun
  • Environmental exposures
    • Too much sun exposure
    • Frequent trips to the tanning salon
    • One or more blistering sunburn(s)
  • Personal precancerous conditions
    • Actinic keratosis
    • Dysplastic nevi (unusual moles)
  • Personal skin cancer history
    • Basal and squamous cell cancer
  • Prior treatment
    • Radiation treatment
    • Immunosuppressive treatment
    • Other cancer treatments that increase risk