Regularly Scheduled Screenings Can Detect Cancer Early

According to the American Cancer Society, "screening increases the chances of detecting certain cancers early, when they are most likely to be treated successfully." Several reliable, cost-effective and relatively harmless screening tests are approved and available to help us detect breast, prostate, colon, lung and cervical cancers. Start the conversation with your healthcare provider today to determine what screening tests are right for you.

Breast Cancer Screening

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women after skin cancer. Mammography is the main tool used to screen for breast cancer, using x-ray technology to view the breasts and detect any abnormalities. Experts agree that women should talk to their health care provider to determine when it is right for them to begin screening for breast cancer, how often to screen and when to stop getting mammograms.

Mammogram Recommendations for Women at Average Risk

• 40 - 44 years: Option to begin annual mammography, obtain baseline to determine breast density.
• 45 - 54 years: Annual mammography.
• 55+ years: Discuss option of annual or every-other-year mammography.

Review your health history with your provider to determine your level of risk.

Prostate Cancer Screening

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancer in men and it can often be found even before symptoms occur. There are two ways to determine if a man has prostate cancer:

• Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA): Blood test to determine if higher than normal levels of this antigen are present.
• Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): Physical examination through the rectum to evaluate the size of the prostate gland.

If either of these tests is abnormal, further testing is necessary to make an accurate prostate cancer diagnosis and monitor treatment. Usually, a core needle biopsy is the method used to diagnose prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer Screening for Men at Various Risk Levels

Based on the recommendations of the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer baseline screening for men includes talking with their healthcare provider to determine their risk level:

• Men age 40-45 should have a baseline prostate cancer screening (PSA blood test and digital rectal exam) if they are at higher risk for prostate cancer because a father, brother or son had prostate cancer at a young age
• Men age 45 and older that have an increased risk of prostate cancer, including African Americans and men whose father, brother or son had prostate cancer when younger than 65, should have a baseline prostate cancer screening (PSA blood test and digital rectal exam)
• Men age 50-69 at average risk should have a baseline prostate screening (PSA blood test and digital rectal exam)

Follow-up screenings are determined by the results of each individual PSA blood test.

Colon Cancer Screening

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States. Cancer of the colon and rectum can occur in any age group although it is much more common after age 55.

Types of colon cancer screening tests may include:

• Colonoscopy screening
• DNA stool test
• Fecal occult blood test
• Sigmoidoscopy
• Virtual colonoscopy

If abnormal tissue or cancer is found early during colon cancer screening tests, it may be easier to treat. By the time colon cancer symptoms appear such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain or changes in bowel habits, cancer may have begun to spread.

Colonoscopy Recommendations for Adults at Average Risk

Current colonoscopy recommendations for adults at average risk for colon cancer include:

• People 45 to 75 without prior colorectal cancer or polyps AND without any of the factors that define high-risk screening.
• Test every 10 years if colonoscopy is performed and results are negative.
• Test every year if Fecal Immunohistochemistry (Stool FIT) is performed. If screening results are positive a colonoscopy will be required to find the suspected cancer and locate and remove cancerous polyps. 
• Test every three years if Multi-Target Stool DNA (mt-sDNA) is performed. If screening results are positive a colonoscopy will be required to find the suspected cancer and locate and remove cancerous polyps. 
• People over 75, discuss your screening needs with your provider.

For people determined to be at a higher risk of colon cancer, talk to your healthcare provider to determine a screening schedule that addresses your needs.

Lung Cancer Screening

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women. Many times lung cancer is not found until it has spread outside the lungs, associated with a poorer prognosis.

Low Dose CT Scan Recommendations for Adults at High Risk

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends that healthy adults at high risk for lung cancer should talk to their doctor about screening with low dose computed tomography (LDCT).

An adult at high risk is defined as the following:

• 55-74 years old
• 30 pack years or more of smoking
• Quit smoking less than 15 years ago

OR

• 50 years or older
• 20 pack year or more of smoking
• Other risk factor(s) such as contact with radon or asbestos, history of lung disease, history of other cancers, or family history of lung cancer

If you meet the criteria for a high risk adult, talk with your health care provider about a LDCT screening exam.

If a lung nodule is identified via LDCT, patients may be candidates for robotic-assisted lung biopsy, or bronchoscopy, with the Ion system at Skagit Valley Hospital.

Cervical Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society recommends screening in order to find cervical cancer at the earliest, most treatable stage. Screening can also identify pre-cancerous conditions that can be effectively treated to prevent cancer from forming.

Pap (Papanicolaou) Test
The Pap test is a procedure that collects cells from the cervix to look for abnormalities under a microscope. The cells are reviewed in the laboratory to check for cancer or pre-cancerous changes in the cervical cells.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA Test
This is a swab test of the cervix and is used to determine the presence of the HPV gene. This can be used in combination with the Pap test or alone after an abnormal Pap test to determine if more testing or treatment is necessary.

Know your risk

The most important risk factor for developing cervical cancer is infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is classified into low and high risk types depending how strong their link to cancer is. HPV infection is common, but most people can clear the infection and never have a problem. 

Review your health history with your provider to determine your level of risk.

When to screen

The American Cancer Society along with the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology recommend the following for women at low to average risk:

• 21-29 Pap test every 3 years
• 30-65 HPV and Pap every 5 years OR Pap alone every 3 years
• >65 No screening if previous negative screening results
  

Make an appointment with your primary care provider or gynecologist to discuss your cervical cancer risk and screening options. 

For More Information About Cancer Screenings

If you would like to learn more about cancer screenings at Skagit Regional Health, please talk with your primary care provider. We can help you make an appointment for a cancer screening at one of our convenient locations.