The Earlier the Better: Detecting Cancer
In the United States, cancer is the second leading cause of death
following heart disease. This new year, make a resolution to
learn more about your cancer risk and ways to
detect cancer early. The
promising news is that today, there are ways
you can reduce your risk and even prevent certain types of cancer.
The
following is a list of the most commonly diagnosed
cancers in the United States, information on the available screening
tests and who should be screened.
Colorectal
Cancer |
Beginning
at age 50, men and women who are at average
risk for developing colorectal cancer should
have one of the five screening options
below.
- A fecal
occult blood test (FOBT) or
fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every
year.
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years.
- FOBT or FIT every year plus a flexible
sigmoidoscopy every five years (of these
first three options, the combination
of FOBT or FIT every year plus flexible
sigmoidoscopy every five years is preferable).
- Double-contrast barium
enema every
five years.
- Colonoscopy every 10 years.
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Breast
Cancer |
- Mammogram every three years, beginning
in the 20s or 30s, and once a year when
40 and older.
- Clinical breast exam during the annual
physical examination.
- Self
examination on a regular basis with
any changes reported immediately to the
doctor.
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Prostate
Cancer |
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test
annually, beginning at age 50.
- Digital rectal examination annually
beginning at age 50 (if average risk) or at age 45 (if high-risk)
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Lung
Cancer |
Screening is only performed for high
risk individuals. Many of the non-invasive
procedures for screening lung cancer
may not find the disease in its early
stages. However, if you notice the following
symptoms, call your doctor:
- Cough that does not go away.
- Chest pain, often made worse by deep
breathing, coughing or laughing.
- Hoarseness.
- Weight loss and loss of appetite.
- Bloody or rust-colored sputum (spit
or phlegm).
- Shortness of breath.
- Infections such as bronchitis and
pneumonia that keep coming back.
- Wheezing.
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Family history or poor lifestyle habits can increase your cancer risk. Talk with your doctor about your cancer risk and the possibility of beginning screenings at an earlier age or more frequent screenings.
Women concerned about their risk for breast and/or ovarian cancer
should consider the University of Pennsylvania's
Cancer Risk Evaluation
Program. This program will:
- Help you to understand the risk factors involved.
- Talk with you about your personal concerns.
- Review your family history, medical history and lifestyle risk factors.
- Discuss genetic testing and assist in your decision about this option.
- Provide a written summary of your risk level.
- Outline a plan for continued monitoring to protect your health.
- Evaluate your eligibility to participate in research studies.
Penn's Cancer
Risk Evaluation Program also provides information for those individuals
who have been diagnosed with cancer and want to
know about the role of genetics in their diagnosis.
For more information about cancer screenings or
Penn's Cancer Risk Evaluation Program, call 1-800-789-PENN
(7366). You can also request an appointment
online.
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