Healthy Breast Screening Practices
As women, we have learned what’s required to take care of ourselves, and that includes getting screened for various types of cancers, including breast cancer. While we might be hard pressed to find any female who enjoys getting a mammogram, it’s much easier to find cancer survivors with a 98%, five-year survival rate due to early breast cancer detection.
The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 232,340 cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed in the United States annually, and 40% of these cases are diagnosed because a woman felt a lump in her breast. When we consider that 1 in every 8 females will be diagnosed with breast cancer, we find the motivation we need to get screened regularly. Watch our video.
What cancer screenings do I need?
As we age, the kinds of screenings we need and the frequency of those screenings evolves. Our gender, family history, preexisting conditions and lifestyle choices may make us more susceptible to certain types of cancer, so regular screenings should be a priority. It’s important to talk with your doctor about the cancer screenings that’re right for you.| Cancer Type | What are My Screening Options? | Who Should be Screened?* | How do I get screened? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breast |
Mammogram
|
Schedule your screening mammogram | |
| Colorectal | There are various types of Colorectal Cancer Screenings. Talk to your doctor about the screening that is right for you. | Regular screenings should begin for all adults at the age of 45. After first screening, subsequent screenings are based on initial test results. | Talk to your primary care doctor about getting screened. Need a referral? Find a doctor. |
| Prostate | Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test |
Men age 50-75 should make a shared decision about prostate screening with their physician. Screening frequency varies based on initial screening. African American men with family history of prostate cancer should discuss the possibility of screening at an earlier age. |
Talk to your primary care doctor to schedule. Need a referral? Find a doctor |
| Cervical | Cervical Cytology / Pap (Papanicolaou) Test HPV Test | Schedule an appointment with your OB or GYN. Need a referral? Find a doctor. | |
| Skin | Physical Exam Self-Exam Skin Biopsy |
Schedule an appointment with your dermatologist. Need a referral? Find a doctor. | |
| Lung | Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) | Talk to your primary care doctor to schedule. Need a referral? Find a doctor. |
*Screening Recommendations are for average risk patients.