Screening tests may find cancer before any symptoms appear. This letter is sent to help you understand the recommendations and discuss at appointment with your healthcare doctor.

BREAST cancer

• Women ages 40 to 44: consider starting annual breast cancer screening with mammograms.
• Women age 45 to 54:  You SHOULD GET MAMMOGRAMS YEARLY
• Women 55 and older:  GET Mammograms AT LEAST EVERY 2 YEARS.
• Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health AND will live 10 yrs or longer.
• Women should also know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast changes to a health care provider right away.
• Some women – because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors – should be screened with MRIs along with mammograms. Talk with a health care provider about your risk best screening plan.

COLON and rectal cancer and polyps

• For people at average risk for colorectal cancer, the American Cancer Society recommends starting regular screening at age 45. This can be done either with a sensitive test that looks for signs of cancer in a person’s stool (a stool-based test), or with an exam that looks at the colon and rectum (colonoscopy).  No matter which test you choose, get screened!
• If you’re in good health, you should continue regular screening until age 75 years.
• For ages 76 or above, talk to your doctor or health care provider regarding continuing the testing.
• **If you choose to be screened with a test other than colonoscopy, any abnormal test result needs to be followed up with a colonoscopy!

CERVICAL cancer

• Cervical cancer screening should start at age 25. Prior to age 65 should get a primary HPV (human papillomavirus) test* done every 5 years. If a primary HPV test is not available, a co-test (an HPV test with a Pap test) every 5 years or a Pap test every 3 years is recommended.
• People over age 65 who have had regular cervical cancer testing in the past 10 years with normal results may stop testing: Those with a history of pre-cancer should continue to be tested for at least 25 years after that diagnosis, even if testing goes past age 65.
• People who have been vaccinated against HPV should follow the screening recommendations.
• For those with complicated health history (examples: HIV infection, organ transplant, exposure to DES (diethylstilbestrol) – may need a more frequent cancer screening schedule.

ENDOMETRIAL cancer

• At menopause, women should be aware of the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected vaginal bleeding or spotting to their doctors.
• Some women – because of their history – may need to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy.

LUNG cancer

The American Cancer Society advises anyone WHO IS AT INCREASED RISK FOR HAVING LUNG CANCER be screened using a CT scanner (multiple x-ray slice images). These include:

• Persons between 50 to 80 yrs,  AND
• Are PRESENTLY smoking or quit < 15 years prior,  AND
• Have a 20 pack-year smoking history – or more. (This is the number of cigarette packs per day multiplied by the number of years smoked). EXAMPLE: smoking one (1) pack of cigarettes per day for 20 years ( = 20 pack-years).

PROSTATE cancer

• The American Cancer Society recommends speaking with your health care provider regarding screening for prostate cancer. Research has not yet proven that the potential benefits of testing outweigh potential harm of testing and treatment.
• Starting at age 50, men should see their doctor and consider screening.
• BUT if you have a father or brother with prostate cancer BEFORE age 65, begin screening prior to age 45 yrs. The screeding PSA blood test is performed with or without a rectal exam. Test frequency is guided by the PSA blood test level and change in level from previous testing.

Reduce your risk of cancer by:

• Do not smoke or use any form of tobacco.
• Reduce / keep to a healthy weight.
• Perform daily or regular physical activity and exercise.
• Eat healthier with plenty of water, fruits and vegetables.
• Stop or minimize alcohol intake. Suggested alcohol intake if you drink:  One (1) alcohol drink per day for women or two (2) per day for men. ( 1 drink is a 12 ounce beer, 5 ounces of  wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, (40% alcohol), for example vodka or tequila.
• Protect your skin from exposure to direct sunlight over 30 minutes.
• Understand yourself, your family history, and your risks.
• Get regular check-ups and cancer screening tests as recommended by the American Cancer Association
• > For more information, go to:  www.cancer.org. 

SUMMARY:

Screening tests can find cancer at an early stage, prior to you noticing any symptoms. When the pre-cancer or the cancer is found early, it is generally much easier, less costly, and more comfortable to cure or treat. Breast, cervical, and colon (or colorectal), and some lung cancers when found early often result in successful treatment or cure! At your scheduled Pap test (Papanicolaou test) or physical exam, is a GREAT OPPORTUNITY to discuss your cancer screening risk and options!