Cancer Prevention and Screenings

Cancer is a relentless disease that does not discriminate between men and women, wealthy or poor, the elderly or the young. In 2018, an estimated 1.75 million Americans will be diagnosed with some form of this disease. With 4,750 new cases diagnosed every day it is the second leading cause of death in the United States, exceeded only by heart disease. If the current trend continues, the National Cancer Institute predicts that one in every two men and one in every three women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Cancer will become the leading killer of Americans.

On a positive note, because of advanced technology, more treatment options, and the progress that has been made in prevention and early detection, people are surviving longer after being diagnosed with cancer. In fact, it is estimated that there are over 15 million cancer survivors today.

Some of the most important progress has been made in prevention and early detection, particularly screening, including mammography, lung and colonoscopy. Behavior modifications, such as smoking cessation, avoiding alcohol, better eating habits, regular exercise and sunscreen have been found to prevent many cancers. Continued focus must be placed on prevention, which will always be the best cure.

Primary Care Providers

CHI Health Clinic has more primary care physicians than any other system in the region. The first step in cancer prevention and/or early detection is through regular check-ups and healthy living. See your primary care physician every year to stay on top of keeping healthy and to learn what cancer screens you should have based on your age and family history. 

Community Screenings

Cancer prevention and early detection through community outreach and educational programs is a major focus of the CHI Health Cancer Center. We have provided cancer education to thousands of people through health fairs and education programs. To raise awareness regarding the importance of early detection, we provide free screenings such as colorectal, breast and skin at some locations. Please check with your local cancer center.

Recommended Cancer Screenings

The below are the cancer screening guidelines recommended by the American Cancer Society.

  • Women ages 20-39 should have a clinical breast exam performed by a doctor every 3 years and perform a breast self-exam every month.
  • Women age 40 and older should have a clinical breast exam by a doctor every year, a mammogram every year, and should perform a breast self-exam every month.
  • Talk to your doctor about your personal risk factors. Women at higher risk may need to be screened more often.

BreastAware

Take our comprehensive breast health assessment to help you identify if you are at risk for developing breast cancer.

Take Assessment

Beginning at age 45, have one of the following tests:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years*
  • Colonoscopy every 10 years
  • Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years*
  • CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years*

Tests that mainly find cancer:

  • Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) every year*
  • Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year
  • Stool DNA test (sDNA), how often uncertain*

*Colonoscopy should be done if test results are positive

Talk with your doctor about your personal risk for colorectal cancer, because people who are at a higher risk may to start testing at an earlier age.

ColonAware

Take our comprehensive colon cancer risk assessment to help you identify if you are at risk for developing colon cancer.

Take Assessment

You may qualify for low dose CT lung screening if you meet the following criteria:

  • Men and women age 55-74 who are current smokers and have smoked a pack or more of cigarettes for 30 years or more.
  • Former smokers ages 55-74 who have quit within the last 15 years and
  • Smoking history of at least 30 "pack years." The American Cancer Society defines 30 pack years as: one pack per day for 30 years, or two packs per day for 15 years, three packs per day for 10 years.
  • Ages 50 to 80 in good health, have at least a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or quit within the last 15 years be considered for an annual low-dose CT chest scan.
  • If you are at high risk, please call your Primary Care Doctor

LungAware

Take our comprehensive lung cancer risk assessment to help you identify if you are at risk for developing lung cancer.

Take Assessment

  • Men age 50 and older should talk with their doctor about the benefits and harms of testing with the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and a digital rectal exam (DRE). The PSA blood test can detect high levels of prostate-specific antigen. If your PSA is elevated, it may indicate the presence of cancer or an enlargement or inflammation of the prostate gland.
  • Men at higher risk (including African-Americans and those with a close family history of prostate cancer) should begin testing at 45.

  • Women ages 21-29 should have a Pap test every 3 years
  • Women ages 25-65 should have a Pap test and HPV test every 5 years.
  • Women age 65 and older can stop testing if you have had regular normal test results. If you have had a cervical pre-cancer, continue testing for 20 years after the diagnosis
  • If you have not had cervical cancer and your cervix has been removed, you do not need to be tested
  • Even if you have had the HPV vaccine, you need to follow the screening recommendations for your age group.

  • Check your birthday suit on your birthday – if you notice anything that has changed or is new, see your doctor and have routine skin exams during regular health check-ups.
  • Discuss your personal schedule for screening exams with your primary care doctor. The American Cancer Society recommends a cancer-related check-up every three years between ages 20 to 40 and every year after that.

*These are general guidelines.