The simple truth is that it is easier to prevent many cancers than it is to treat them. So, making sure you are on top of the recommended screenings is perhaps the best New Year’s resolution you can make for your health.
Samir Undevia, MD, a hematology and oncology fellowship-trained specialist at Endeavor Health Edward Hospital and Elmhurst Hospital, highlights the gold standard screenings recommended for prevention and early detection of common cancers.
Breast cancer
- Annual mammograms: These essential screenings for women who are at average risk should begin at age 40, said Dr. Undevia.
- Genetic testing: Women with a family history of breast cancer — those with any first degree relative diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 50, and those with two or more family members with breast cancer — are eligible for genetic testing which is the “ultimate cancer prevention,” he added.
Ovarian cancer
- Genetic testing: Women with family members with a history of ovarian cancer can also consider genetic testing to look for BRCA mutations linked to both breast and ovarian cancer.
Colorectal cancer
- Colonoscopies: This screening helps to prevent colorectal cancer by finding legions before they become cancerous. The standard age to begin colonoscopies is now 45. “We are seeing the age of diagnosis of colon cancer dropping, which is why the recommendation to begin colonoscopy screening has changed from age 50 to 45,” said Dr. Undevia.
Prostate cancer
- PSA test: For men, annual PSA screening (prostate specific antigen blood tests) is recommended starting at age 50. “For men with a family history of prostate cancer, PSA screening generally starts earlier than 50,” said Dr. Undevia. “It’s so good that this test is available, it’s an easy blood draw, non-invasive screening.”
Cervical cancer
- Pap smears & HPV tests: The current recommendation for pap smears and/or HPV testing to detect cervical cancer is to begin by age 30, and for women at average risk to continue with a pap and HPV test every five years. Individuals at higher risk should begin testing at an earlier age.
Cervical and head & neck cancer
- HPV vaccine: This vaccine is used to prevent cervical cancer and head and neck cancers also caused by the HPV virus. “This is the only routine vaccine we have that prevents cancer,” said Dr. Undevia. The vaccine should be given to both boys and girls at age 11 or 12, and parents are encouraged to talk to their pediatricians, suggested Dr. Undevia. For younger adults who are not yet sexually active, a catch-up vaccine can be effective and is highly recommended, he added.
Skin cancer
- Annual skin exams: This is an important way to find and prevent melanomas and other skin cancers. People with fair skin and those with a history of sunburns are at higher than average risk for developing skin cancers and should be extra vigilant about looking for changing moles and new growths, as well as seeing a dermatologist for annual exams.
Lung cancer
- Low dose CT scan: This lung cancer screening is recommended for people who currently smoke or those who have quit within the last 15 years. Current guidelines suggest annual screening for people with a 20 pack-year history of smoking. A pack year equals one pack per day for a year, smoking two packs a day counts as two pack years and so on.
“Effective cancer screenings are associated with earlier detection and less treatment and higher cure rates associated with early-stage cancers,” emphasized Dr. Undevia.
