Just
the mention of the word cancer sends a shiver down many people's
spine, especially if the disease has affected someone you love.
Cancer is second only to heart disease as the leading cause
of death in the United States. For many types of cancer, routine
screening measures can detect early cancer before symptoms begin,
increasing the likelihood of cure.
Most
of us would prefer not to visit the doctor if we don't have
to. Long waiting times, missed work, and fear of the needles
that doctors seem to use indiscriminately are all reasons to
avoid routine check-ups. But once people get to the age of 35
or 40, routine check-ups become an important part of maintaining
health.
This
is partially true because of the development of screening tests
for cancer, which could save your life. Following are the American
Cancer Society's recommendations for cancer screening, broken
down by the type of cancer. These screening recommendations
are based on scientific evidence that survival can be improved
by early detection.
Breast
cancer
Breast
cancer is the most common cancer in women and the
second most common cause of cancer death in women. (First place
goes to lung
cancer thanks to the increasing number of female
smokers.) Breast cancer probably receives more publicity than
all other cancers. Women are advised to begin breast
self-exams (BSE) once a month (for the rest of their
lives) and to have a physician examine their breasts every three
years starting at age 20.
Once
women reach age 40, they should have a baseline mammography
(a type of breast x-ray) and annual breast examinations by a
physician. Mammography should occur at least every two years
from the ages 40 to 50 and annually after age 50. If you detect
any abnormal lumps in your breast, call your doctor and make
an appointment to be seen as soon as possible, even if its
only been a short time since your last visit.
Prostate
cancer
Prostate
cancer is the most common cause of cancer in men
and the second leading cause of cancer death in men (first is
lung cancer). Men are advised to get a manual digital rectal
examination (DRE) by a physician annually starting at age 40.
Prostate
cancer can often be detected through this simple exam because
the cancer-containing prostate feels irregular. A blood test
that detects early prostate cancer, called the PSA
(prostate specific antigen) is still somewhat controversial,
but becoming more commonplace. Talk to your doctor about this
test, especially if you might be at high risk for prostate cancer.
Colon
cancer
Colon
cancer is the third most common cancer and the third
leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. All people
are advised to get a manual digital rectal examination (DRE)
annually starting at age 40. In men, this also serves as a prostate
cancer screening examination.
At
times, early colon cancer can be felt as an irregular bump along
the inner wall of the rectum. The doctor can also get a small
stool sample from the rectum to check for the presence of microscopic
blood in the stool (a possible sign of early colon cancer).
At age 50, it is recommended that people get a test known as
a sigmoidoscopy,
which involves putting a thin tube into the rectum.
The
tube has a tiny camera on the end of it and allows the doctor
to see the inside of the colon. This often helps detect an early
cancer that causes no symptoms. If normal, this test need only
be repeated every three to five years.
Pelvic
cancer in women
For
early detection of cervical
cancer, the well-known Pap
smear is recommended annually starting at age 20
(or sooner in women who are sexually active). After a few negative
exams, Pap smears may only be needed every two or three years.
A
general pelvic exam by a doctor is recommended at least every
three years from ages 20 to 40, and annually after that. This
exam may detect cervical, uterine, or ovarian cancer. A uterine
biopsy is recommended at the time of menopause to screen for
uterine cancer.
All
other cancers
People
are advised to see a doctor every three years from ages 20 to
40, and annually thereafter for a general "cancer check-up."
A physical examination may detect early thyroid, testicular,
skin, oral, blood, or other cancers.
| Age
|
Men
|
Women
|
| 20-40
|
Every
3 years:
-general cancer check-up |
Monthly:
-breast self-exam
Every year:
-Pap smear (if negative after a few exams, may repeat every
2-3 yrs)
Every 3 years:
-general cancer check-up
-general pelvic exam
-clinical breast exam |
| 40-50
|
Every
year:
-general cancer check-up
-digital rectal exam |
Monthly:
-breast self-exam Every year:
-general cancer check-up
-digital rectal exam
-general pelvic exam
-Pap smear (if negative after a few exams, may repeat every
2-3 yrs)
-clinical breast exam
Every 2 years:
*mammography |
| 50
and older |
Every year:
-general cancer check-up
-digital rectal exam Every 3-5 years:
-sigmoidoscopy (if normal) |
Monthly:
-breast self-exam Every year:
-general cancer check-up
-digital rectal exam
-general pelvic exam
-Pap smear (if negative after a few exams, may repeat every
2-3 yrs)
-clinical breast exam
-mammography
Every 3-5 years:
-sigmoidoscopy (if normal) |
Early
detection of cancer by the above screening tests has saved thousands
of lives. Remember that these are screening tests for people
with no symptoms. In other words, people who feel fine and have
no reason to believe they have cancer. While most of us strive
to stay away from the doctor's office, sometimes an apple a
day just isn't enough.
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