You probably know the earlier you find cancer, the better. But do you know which screenings can find cancer early and when you should get those tests?
It’s important to find cancer before you have any symptoms. That’s why regular cancer screenings should always be a part of your and your family’s healthcare. These screenings can find and treat changes in your body before they turn into cancer, or before the cancer has a chance to spread.
We teamed up with the American Cancer Society to create a simple guide. It tells you about important health screenings and when you should get them.
Breast cancer
Make sure you know how your breasts normally look and feel. That way you can tell your doctor right away if you notice any changes. Doctors use mammograms (X-rays of the breast) to check for signs of cancer. Here’s when to get regular mammograms:
Ages 40-44: If you don’t want to wait, you can start yearly mammograms now.
Ages 45-54: It’s important to get yearly mammograms.
Ages 55+: Mammograms every year or every 2 years. Talk with your doctor about what’s best for you.
Cervical cancer
HPV (human papillomavirus) can cause cervical cancer in women. Screening and tests can help your doctor tell if you are at risk. Even if you had the vaccine, you should still start regular screenings when you turn 25.
Ages 25-65: A primary screening every 5 years.
If you can’t get a primary test, get a cotest (HPV test with a Pap test) every 5 years OR a Pap test every 3 years.
Age 65+: If you had normal test results in the last 10 years, you may not need more tests.
Endometrial cancer
If you have gone through menopause (stopped having your period), you should know about the symptoms and risks of endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus). There’s no screening test to check for this kind of cancer, but you can catch it early if you notice symptoms like vaginal bleeding, discharge, or spotting, and tell your doctor right away. Learn more about endometrial cancer symptoms here: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/endometrial-cancer.html
Colon and rectal cancer and polyps
Regular screenings for colon and rectal cancers are important. These are done with a sensitive test that looks for cancer in a person’s stool or by a visual test that looks at the colon and rectum. Talk to your provider about which test is right for you.
- Age 45: Start getting screened.
- Ages 46-75: Regular screenings if you’re in good health.
- Ages 76-85: Ask your doctor if you still need regular tests.
- Age 85+: No longer need screenings.
Lung cancer
Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk for lung cancer and how to quit smoking, vaping, or using chewing tobacco if you still do. Screening for lung cancer is done by a low-dose CT scan, a special kind of X-ray that takes detailed pictures of the inside of your body. A low-dose CT scan uses less radiation than a normal CT scan. People should get screening every year if they:
- Are ages 50-80 and
- Currently smoke or used to smoke and
- Have at least a 20 pack-per-year smoking history. (A pack-year is 1 pack of cigarettes, or about 20 cigarettes, per day per year. One pack per day for 20 years or 2 packs per day for 10 years would both be 20 pack-years.)
Prostate cancer
Men should talk with their healthcare provider about whether to get tested for prostate cancer. A prostate cancer screening is called a PSA test. There’s a lot to learn about what we do and don’t know about testing and treatment for prostate cancer. An informed decision will be your best decision.
Learn more at https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/about.html.
- Age 45: Talk to your doctor about PSA testing if you are African American or have a father or brother who had prostate cancer before age 65.
- Age 50: Talk to your doctor about getting tested.
Things you can do to stay healthy and reduce your risk of cancer:
- Don’t use tobacco in any form.
- Stay at a healthy weight.
- Exercise regularly.
- Eat plenty fruit and vegetables.
- It’s best not to drink alcohol. If you do drink, women should have no more than 1 drink per day and 2 per day for men.
- Protect your skin.
- Know your own health history and your family’s.
- Get regular checkups and cancer screenings.
For details about cancer screenings and which ones are covered by Healthy Blue, visit https://www.healthybluemo.com/missouri-medicaid/benefits/medicaid-benefits.html.
To learn more about preventing cancer, visit cancer.org.