Cancer Screening

Cancer Screening

• Colorectal cancer and polyps

• Beginning at age 50, both men and women should follow one of these schedules:

• Tests that find polyps and cancer

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years*, or

• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or

• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years*, or

• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years*

Breast Health

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health

• Clinical breast exam (CBE) about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over

• 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.

• 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

• Visit your health care provider for an annual well women exam and check up

• Schedule the appointment near your birthday so you do not forget!

• 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.

• All men should discuss a prostate cancer screening with their health care provider

• African American men and those with a family history are in a high risk category

• With a prostate cancer screening, a PSA blood test is done also