Get up to Date on Cancer Screenings

Cancer screenings can provide peace of mind or catch problems in their earliest - and most treatable - stages.

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Cancer screenings are tests that check for signs of cancer before you have symptoms. Thinking about cancer isn’t fun, and if you don’t have any symptoms, it can be easy to put off scheduling these screenings. But studies show that some screening tests can help find cancer early, when it’s easier to treat and even cure.

Cancer screening guidelines vary based on the type of cancer and your personal risk factors. If you are older than 20, you should ask your primary care provider if you should have any screenings. Most people don’t need screening tests until they are over 40, but there are exceptions depending on family history of cancer or if you’ve been diagnosed with a pre-cancerous condition.

Here are the most common cancer screening tests and their guidelines:

• Mammograms to check for breast cancer. Women with an average risk of breast cancer should start annual screening mammograms at age 40. Women with a higher-than-average risk of breast cancer should start annual screening mammograms at an earlier age and should be offered additional imaging each year.
• Low-dose CT to check for lung cancer. Adults age 50-80 who have a 20 pack-year smoking history.
• Colonoscopy or other screening to check for colon cancer. All adults age 45 or older should be screened for colorectal cancer. If you have a family history your screening may begin earlier.
• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test to check for prostate cancer. Men age 45 and older should speak with their doctor about prostate cancer screening, based upon their race, age, and family history.
• Pap smear tests to check for cervical cancer. Average-risk women age 21-29 should have Pap smears every three years, and women 30 or older should have Pap smears every 3 years or Pap + HPV testing every 5 years.

That may sound like a lot, but many of them may not apply to you. If you have any questions, talk to your primary care provider. They can help you make sure you are up to date and help you schedule an appointment or provide a referral if needed.

Keeping up to date on your cancer screenings will alleviate any anxiety you have about cancer, as well as catch any problems early enough that treatment could be easier.

Sometime in the next two weeks, make it a priority to reach out to your primary care provider and get your screenings scheduled. If you don't have a primary care provider, search for one or call 1-800-THE DESK (1-800-834-3375).

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