Cancer Screening & Prevention
Who calls the shots?
The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is the primary group that determines which screening methods are recommended for different cancer types, at what age screening should begin, and special circumstances that may necessitate earlier screening. The American Cancer Society, NCCN, and several other organizations have their own screening recommendations as well.
According to the USPSTF, these are the 5 types of cancer for which screening is recommended:
- Breast- Mammogram (gold standard), breast ultrasound, breast MRI
- Colorectal- Colonoscopy (gold standard), 3 types of stool-based tests: FIT, FOBT, Cologuard, (stool-based tests- Cologuard is the least specific of the 3 types of stool tests so it is more likely to give false positives as compared to the other two methods), blood-cased tests like Septin9, GRAIL, and cfDNA; sigmoidoscopy, endoscopy (esophageal cancer); Colonoscopy is the ONLY option for patients: experiencing signs or symptoms of colorectal cancer (CRC), with a family history of CRC , with a personal history of CRC or diseases of GI tract, with a hereditary cancer syndrome like Lynch for FAP, or for those who are under the age of 45.
- Lung- Low-dose CT scan of the chest
- Prostate- PSA blood test, digital rectal exam
- Cervical- Pap test and HPV test
Screening guidelines are in place for people who are asymptomatic (not experiencing any unusual symptoms) with an average risk for cancer. Your family history, inherited gene mutations, personal medical history, and other risk factors will be taken into account to determine if you should be screened earlier than recommended.
If you are symptomatic in any way--please see your doctor to investigate further. Possible signs of cancer may include chronic cough, blood in stool, unexplained weight loss or weight gain, new lumps or growths anywhere on your body, bloody mucous, chronic fatigue, unexplained pain, changes in eating habits or bowel habits, changes in breast texture or color, changes in urinary habits, mole and skin changes, etc.
American Cancer Society Screening Guidelines:
Find Cancer Early | American Cancer Society
ACS Screening Guidelines by Age
Cancer Screening Guidelines by Age | American Cancer Society
The resources collection at the bottom of the page includes details on different types of screening measures, screening guidelines, and more.
There is more in store for this page so stay tuned!
Scope It Out
"To Look or See Inside"
Types of "Scopes" in Cancer Detection and Diagnosis
Endoscopy: "Endo-" meaning inside and "-scope" meaning to see; a camera is inserted into the body to visualize internal organs and structures
Some common endoscopic procedures:
- Colonoscopy: to visualize the colon from cecum to rectum
- Upper GI Endoscopy: to visualize the esophagus, stomach, and the duodenum (part of the small intestine)
- Bronchoscopy: to visualize the lungs
- Sigmoidoscopy: to visualize the sigmoid section of the colon and the rectum
- Colposcopy: to visualize the cervix, vagina, and vulva
- Cystoscopy: to visualize the bladder and urethra
- Laparoscopy: to visualize the inside of the abdomen and pelvis
