Cancer Screenings

Cancer affects 1 in 3 people in the United States. While cancer is common, new ways to prevent and cure cancer develop all the time. The earlier we find cancer the easier it is to treat.

In people with cancer, abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and destroy body tissue. Cancer screenings can tell us if this may be happening. When we see a possible red flag, we dig deeper to make sure that you are cancer-free.

Cancer has many types, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, melanoma (skin cancer) and lymphoma (lymphatic system cancer).  Common types we screen for include:

• Breast Cancer: Both women and men can get breast cancer but it’s more commonly found in women. It is the second most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States after skin cancer. We use mammograms and other tests to screen for breast cancer as part of breast health.
• Cervical Cancer: Cervical cancer used to be the leading cause of cancer-related death for women, but that number has declined greatly since Pap smears became available.
• Colon Cancer: Colorectal or colon cancer was the number two cause of cancer death in 2020, according to the CDC. But the numbers are going down–in part because screenings can help us catch and treat colon cancer early. Colon cancer screenings can help detect precancerous polyps—abnormal growths in the colon or rectum. If they are found early, these polys can be removed before they turn into cancer.

Screening for cancer is a good way to help us with early detection because it can provide early warning that you might have a disease. But it’s important to note that a screening is not the same as a diagnosis – going for further tests does not mean you have cancer.

Screenings can have their own risks, too. Since your risk for certain types of cancer will depend on your family and personal history, your primary care provider and you will decide together which types of cancer to screen for.