Cancer Screenings and Prevention
Cancer Screenings for Early Detection
Cancer Screening Guidelines for Men
Your annual physical is a great time to talk about important cancer screenings for men. Cancer screening plays a critical role in your overall health as early detection of diseases can result in better outcomes. Screening recommendations can vary based on your health and family history, so it’s important to ask your doctor about what screenings are right for you.
| Age 30-39 | Age 40-49 | Age 50-64 | Age 65 and older | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prostate Cancer | No screening recommended. | Baseline screening may be considered at age 45, for men who are high risk. | Consult with your doctor to determine your risk and how often you should be tested. | Consult with your doctor to determine your risk and how often you should be tested. Screening not recommended after age 70. |
| Colorectal Cancer | Consult with your doctor about your individual risk factors. | Consult with your doctor about your individual risk factors. Begin screening at age 45. Discuss with your doctor which test is right for you and how often you need it. | Discuss with your doctor which test is right for you and how often you need it. | Get screened for colorectal cancer through age 75. Always discuss with your doctor which test is right for you and how often you schedule it. |
| Lung Cancer | No screening recommended. | For ages 50-80, if you smoke or quit within 15 years, and have a 20-pack year history, discuss with your doctor about an annual lung screening with a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). | ||
| Skin Cancer | Discuss skin exams with your doctor, including risk factors, changing moles and concerning skin lesions. | |||
Cancer Screening Guidelines for Women
Your annual physical is a great time to talk about important cancer screenings for women. Cancer screening plays a critical role in your overall health as early detection of diseases can result in better outcomes. Screening recommendations can vary based on your health and family history, so it’s important to ask your doctor about what screenings are right for you.
| Age 30-39 | Age 40-49 | Age 50-64 | Age 65 and older | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breast Cancer | Consult your doctor about your individual risk factors and when to start screening. | Begin mammogram screening at age 40 and continue every one to two years. Consult with your doctor about your individual risk factors. | Screening recommended every one to two years. Your doctor may recommend an annual screen if you have risk factors. |
Continue mammograms every one to two years through age 74. After age 74 discuss with your doctor about screening. |
| Colorectal Cancer | Consult with your doctor about your individual risk factors. | Consult with your doctor about your individual risk factors. Begin screening at age 45. Discuss with your doctor which test is right for you and how often you need it. | Discuss with your doctor which test is right for you and how often you need it. | Get screened for colorectal cancer through age 75. Always discuss with your doctor which test is right for you and how often you schedule it. |
| Lung Cancer | No screening recommended. | For ages 50-80, if you smoke or quit within 15 years, and have a 20-pack year history, discuss with your doctor about an annual lung screening with a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). | ||
| Skin Cancer | Discuss skin exams with your doctor, including risk factors, changing moles and concerning skin lesions. | |||
| Cervical Cancer | Pap and HPV co-test every five years. Pelvic exam frequency determined by your doctor. | Pap and HPV co-test every five years. Pelvic exam frequency determined by your doctor. | After 65, discuss with your doctor if you need a pap test. Pelvic exam frequency determined by your doctor. | |
Know Common Cancer Signs and Symptoms
In addition to regular screenings, it's important to be aware of common cancer signs and symptoms. The list below is not comprehensive. Don't hesitate to talk to your doctor when you notice any concerning changes with your body or health.
Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer
If you notice any of these symptoms, talk with your doctor right away:
- A lump, hard knot or thickening in the breast
- A lump under your arm
- A change in the size or shape of your breast
- A breast that feels warm or swollen
- A change in skin color and texture such as dimpling, puckering or redness
- Nipple pain, tenderness or discharge, including bleeding
- A nipple turning inward or inverted
- Itchiness, scales, soreness or a rash on your nipple
Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer usually doesn’t have any symptoms until the cancer becomes more advanced. Once cervical cancer is more advanced, women may start to notice the following warning signs and should talk to their doctor.
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Lower back, pelvic or appendix pain
- Leg pain
- Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
Signs and Symptoms of Colon and Rectal Cancer
If you notice any of these symptoms, talk with your doctor right away:
- Bleeding from the rectum, blood on the stool or blood in the stool
- Change in bowel movements
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Stools that are more narrow than usual
- General abdominal problems such as bloating, fullness or cramps
- Weight loss for no apparent reason
- Feeling fatigued all the time
- Vomiting
Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer
In the early stages, there may be no symptoms. Even if you have no risk factors, talk with your doctor right away if you have the symptoms below. The B.R.E.A.T.H.E. acronym can help you remember them.
Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Many of these symptoms can also be the cause of benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is when the prostate gland is enlarged but not cancerous. No matter the case, it’s important to consult your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Weak urine flow
- Difficulty urinating
- Inability to urinate
- Frequent urination
- Pain or burning sensation when urinating
- Blood in semen
- Consistent pain in the back, pelvis or hips
- Struggle to have an erection
Tips to Prevent or Reduce Your Cancer Risk
While there's no proven way to prevent cancer, there are several ways to reduce your risk or detect cancer early, when treatment is most successful. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you can lower your risk of cancer and find it early by following screening guidelines, staying up-to-date on recommended vaccines and making healthy lifestyle choices such as avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol and protecting your skin.
- Follow screening guidelines: Cancer screening tests help find cancer, sometimes before symptoms even appear. Many cancers are easier to treat the earlier they're detected, so it's important to talk to your provider about the right screenings for you.
- Know your family history: About 5% to 10% of cancers are strongly linked to a gene defect, meaning a person can inherit cancer from an abnormal gene passed down from a parent, such as hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC). An important part of early detection is knowing your family cancer history and talking with your provider about it. Depending on your personal and family history, they may recommend genetic counseling or testing.
- Stay up-to-date on vaccines: Staying up-to-date on recommended vaccines can lower your risk of getting certain cancers. For example, human papillomavirus (HPV) is thought to be responsible for more than 90% of anal and cervical cancers, about 70% of vaginal and vulvar cancers and 60% of penile cancers, according to the CDC. The HPV vaccine effectively protects against the most common, cancer-causing types of HPV.
- Make healthy lifestyle habits: While healthy lifestyle habits are not a guarantee for preventing cancer, they can significantly lower a person's risk of cancer and other health conditions. At least 18% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States are related to preventable causes including excess body weight, physical inactivity, excess alcohol consumption and/or poor nutrition.
- Avoid tobacco: Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer and can lead to lung cancer, kidney cancer, colon cancer and several other cancers. Each year in the United States, 343,000 people die from tobacco use-related cancer. Stop smoking today to decrease your risk of tobacco-related cancer.
- Maintain a healthy weight and physical activity: Being overweight or obese can cause long-lasting inflammation and higher than normal levels of insulin, which may lead to 13 different types of cancer. The less excess weight a person gains and the longer they stay at a healthy weight, the lower the risk of cancer. Talk to your doctor about ways to maintain a healthy weight through healthy eating plans and regular physical activity.
- Limit or stop drinking alcohol: Ethanol found in alcoholic drinks is a known carcinogen, a substance capable of causing cancer. Even in small amounts, consuming alcohol increases your risk of cancer. The more alcohol you drink, the higher your risk of getting cancers such as liver cancer, colon cancer and breast cancer. It's best not to drink alcohol at all. Those who chose to drink should consume no more than two standard drinks per day for men and one for women. Use the CDC's free, online alcohol screening tool to check your drinking.
- Protect your skin: Too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is the leading cause for skin cancer. Avoid indoor tanning and protect your skin from the sun when outdoors to reduce your skin cancer risk by wearing protective clothing, staying in the shade and using broad spectrum sunscreen.
If you're concerned about your cancer risk or want to talk more about ways to reduce your personal risk, get started by talking to your primary care provider.