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CANCER
treatment o en
works best when it is started early—
sometimes even before you feel sick.
But if you feel ne, how will you
know that you may need treatment?
It’s a question that a cancer screening
test can help answer.
Screening tests are medical exams
designed to spot small, localized
cancers before they cause symptoms.
Treatment may be most e ective at
this stage of the disease.
Here are some common cancers
in women and men and tests to spot
them.
For women
Breast cancer.
e best way to
nd breast cancer
is with a mammogram, reports the
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. Most women should get
these special breast x-rays every year
starting at age 40.
Some women at high risk for
breast cancer may bene t from both
an annual mammogram and a mag-
netic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
Women in their 20s and 30s
should have their doctor do a clinical
breast exam once every three years.
Women 40 and older should have
that exam annually.
Cervical cancer.
Most women
should have their rst Pap test at age
21. For this test, some cells from the
cervix are removed and examined
for abnormalities.
Most women younger than 30
will need a Pap test every two years,
and many women 30 and older can
Early
detection
saves lives
Our primary care providers are
here to help you. For a referral,
call
740-333-3333
.
mouth and throat are all susceptible to
cancer, especially among people who
smoke, use smokeless tobacco or drink
alcohol. Your doctor or dentist may look for
abnormal areas during routine exams, but
you can also do a monthly self-exam. The
most common symptom is a mouth sore
that bleeds easily and doesn’t heal. Other
possible signs include trouble chewing, a
lump in the cheek, a white or red patch in
the mouth, or a sore throat.
Source: American Cancer Society
Other screening tests to consider
be rescreened every three years a er
three normal Pap tests in a row, ac-
cording to the American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Ask
your doctor about frequency.
Women 65 and older with a his-
tory of normal tests may be able to
stop Pap tests, but
you should check
with your doctor
rst.
For men
Prostate cancer.
Two tests are
used to screen for prostate cancer.
A digital rectal exam involves the
doctor inserting a gloved, lubricated
nger into the rectum to check for
abnormal growths on the prostate.
Skin cancer.
Of all cancers, skin cancer
is the most common. To spot it early,
become familiar with your moles, freckles
and other features of your skin. Perform
a monthly self-exam. Look for new
growths, expanding growths and sores
that don’t heal. Signs of melanoma—
the most serious form of skin cancer—
can include changes in a mole’s size,
shape, color or border. See your doctor
if you notice any signs.
Oral cancer.
The lips, tongue,
CANCER SCREENINGS
ere’s also a test that detects
prostate-speci c antigen (PSA) in the
blood, which may indicate cancer.
Beginning at age 50, men should
ask their doctor about the pros, cons
and limitations of these tests.
For both
Colon cancer.
According to the
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force,
people ages 50 to 75 should have one
of several screening tests for colon
cancer. ey include fecal occult
blood testing, sigmoidoscopy and
colonoscopy. When choosing which
test to use, people should discuss
the advantages, disadvantages and
frequency of the di erent tests with
their doctor.
www.fcmh.org
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