Early detection can help to save lives.
At SSM Cancer Care, we know that early detection is one of the most important factors to surviving cancer. Whether you have a family medical history, lifestyle, and other factors that indicate that you are at greater risk for cancer, or if you are in a low-risk group with no symptoms of the disease, regular screenings are critical to successfully diagnosing and treating cancer. People who are experiencing symptoms that may be related to cancer should consult a physician immediately.
Those age 20 and older should have periodic health exams, including a cancer-related checkup. Depending on your age, gender and family history, you may be examined for cancers of the thyroid, oral cavity, skin, lymph nodes, testes, and ovaries. In addition, SSM Cancer Care also recommends the following special tests for specific types of cancers as listed below:
- Breast cancer: Starting at age 40, yearly mammograms are recommended and should continue for as long as a woman is in good health. A clinical breast exam (CBE) should be part of a periodic health exam and conducted approximately every three years for women who are in their 20s and 30s and every year for women over 40. Breast self-exams (BSE) should be performed by women over 20.
- Colon and rectal cancer: Men and women at average risk for developing colorectal cancer should be screened beginning at age 50. People should be screened early and/or more often if they have the following colorectal risk factors: a personal history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps; a personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis); a strong family history of colorectal cancer or polyps (cancer or polyps in a first-degree relative [parent, sibling, or child] younger than 60 or in two or more first-degree relatives of any age); a known family history of hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC). Types of colorectal screening tests include: flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double contrast barium enema, fecal occult blood test (FOBT), fecal immunochemical test (FIT), and stool DNA test (sDNA).
- Cervical cancer: SSM Cancer Care recommends that all women should begin cervical cancer screening about three years after beginning vaginal intercourse, but no later than 21 years old. Screening should be done every year with the regular Pap test or every two years using the newer liquid-based Pap test. Beginning at age 30, women who have had 3 normal Pap test results in a row may get screened every 2 to 3 years. Women who have certain risk factors such as diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure before birth, HIV infection, or a weakened immune system due to organ transplant, chemotherapy, or chronic steroid use should continue to be screened annually. Women 70 years of age or older who have had 3 or more normal Pap tests in a row and no abnormal Pap test results in the last 10 years may choose to stop having cervical cancer screening. Women with a history of cervical cancer, DES exposure before birth, HIV infection or a weakened immune system should continue to have screening as long as they are in good health. Women who have had a total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix) may also choose to stop having cervical cancer screening, unless the surgery was done as a treatment for cervical cancer or pre-cancer. Women who have had a hysterectomy without removal of the cervix should continue to follow the guidelines above.
- Endometrial (uterine) cancer: SSM Cancer Care recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer, and strongly encouraged to report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. For women with or at high risk for hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC), annual screening should be offered for endometrial cancer with endometrial biopsy beginning at age 35.
- Prostate cancer: SSM Cancer Care recommends that you have a discussion with your primary care physician regarding the benefits and limitations of early detection testing for prostate cancers. Based on your personal history and your level of risk for developing this cancer, you and your physician can decide what the best option for you will be.