Cancer Screening
Tests that primarily find cancer
Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year, or Stool DNA test (sDNA)***
* If the test is positive, a colonoscopy should be done.
Colon Cancer Screening:
American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Early Detection of Cancer
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Colorectal cancer and polyps
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Beginning at age 50, both men and women should follow one of these schedules:
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Tests that find polyps and cancer
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Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years*, or
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Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
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Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years*, or
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CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years*
Breast Health
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Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health
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Clinical breast exam (CBE) about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over
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Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care provider. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.
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Some women – because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors – should be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. (The number of women who fall into this category is small: less than 2% of all the women in the US.) Talk with your doctor about your history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age.
Pelvic Exam and Pap Smear
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Visit your health care provider for an annual well women exam and check up
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Schedule the appointment near your birthday so you do not forget!
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Women that are sexually active should discuss with their health care provider about being screened for STDs (sexually transmitted diseases)
Prostate Health
Prostate cancer screening: Every man over the age of 45 is at risk for prostate cancer
but that risk increases dramatically with age. In fact, more than 70% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer is over the age of 65.
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All men should discuss a prostate cancer screening with their health care provider
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African American men and those with a family history are in a high risk category
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With a prostate cancer screening, a PSA blood test is done also