Cancer
Most people need to follow a standard schedule for cancer screening. However, if you are at high risk for any cancer, you may need to follow a different screening schedule. Ask your Primary Care Provider (PCP) to advise you. If you note a symptom that might be cancer, see your PCP right away.
Breast Cancer: What to Know
How does breast cancer happen?
One out of every 8 women in the U.S. will have breast cancer at some time. Men sometimes get breast cancer too.
Doctors do not know why some people get breast cancer and some don’t. When you are healthy, the cells that make up your body grow and divide and form new cells. Sometimes, though, our body forms
new cells that aren’t needed. Or it fails to get rid of old or damaged cells.
This buildup of unnecessary, old, or damaged cells is called a lump or a tumor. Tumors that do not hurt
you or any part of your body are called “benign.” A cancer tumor is called “malignant.”
As a cancer tumor spreads, it gets bigger and/or stronger and can harm more parts of your body. This is why you need to catch breast cancer early. This gives you the best chance for stopping it.
While breast cancer can be deadly, there are good treatments. Women who get breast cancer now are more likely to survive than in the past.
Get your mammogram
The best way to spot breast cancer early on is to have a test called a mammogram. Your doctor can tell you the best place to have this test.
How it works
A mammogram is a safe, low-dose X-ray of the inside of your breast. It can pick up changes in the breast that are too small to feel. Your breast is pressed between two plates to get a good picture. This takes only a few seconds and, for most women, causes only mild discomfort.
Most women should have a mammogram every 1–2 years once they turn age 40. If you are at extra risk, you may need to start earlier. At your next appointment, ask your doctor about whether or not you should have a mammogram and how often.
Breast self-exams
Checking your breasts at home is also helpful. A self-exam helps you get to know the normal look and feel of your breasts. This way, you’ll notice if something changes. Ask your doctor for details on the best way to do this home exam.
MetroPlus covers the cost of mammograms for women age 40 and older. Call 1.800.303.9626 to find out more.
Colon Cancer
Both men and women at average risk for colon cancer need one of several tests. Talk to your doctor about which test is right for you. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, you may need a different test at a younger age.
Cervical Cancer
All women are at risk for cervical cancer. It occurs most often in women over age 30. According to CDC, approximately 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. While cervical cancer is a serious disease, it is also the easiest gynecologic cancer to prevent, with regular screening tests and follow-up.
Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix begin growing out of control. The cervix connects the body of the uterus to the vagina. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is usually the cause of cervical cancer. HPV is a common virus that is transmitted during sex.
The two screening tests that assist in prevention and early detection are the Pap test (Pap smear) and human papillomavirus (HPV) test. The Pap test looks for cervical precancerous cell changes. The human papillomavirus (HPV) test looks for the virus that can causes the cell changes. It is recommended that you start getting a pap test at age 21. If you are 30 years or older, you have the option to co-test. Co-testing is having both the HPV test and the Pap test performed at the same time. Additionally, there are currently two vaccines available to protect females against the types of HPV that cause most cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. Both vaccines are recommended for 11 and 12 year old girls, and for 13 to 26 year old females who did receive any of the vaccines when they were younger.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death and the second most common cancer among both men and women in the United States.
Lung cancer is a disease in which the cell in the lungs grow out of control and can spread to other organs in the body. The risk factors include, smoking, secondhand smoke, radon, personal or family history of lung cancer, radiation to the chest, and exposure to other substances like asbestos, arsenic, etc.
To reduce your risk don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke and exposure to carcinogens. If you smoke, stop smoking, ask for help and support, and get tested or screened for lung cancer.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells in the prostate. This type of cancer is very common among American men.
The prostate gland is responsible for making a portion of the fluid found in semen. This gland which is only found in males, is located internally below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The size of the prostate in younger men is compared to a size of a walnut. However the size of the prostate changes with age. There are two tests used to screen for prostate cancer, digital rectal exam (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. During a digital rectal exam a doctor or nurse feels the prostate to estimate the size of the prostate and feel for lumps or other abnormalities. The PSA test measures the level of PSA in the blood. An elevated PSA level may indicate prostate cancer or other conditions that affect the prostate.
American Cancer Society recommends that prostate screening discussion should occur at:
- Age 50 for men who are at average risk of prostate cancer and are expected to live at least 10 more years.
- Age 45 for men at high risk of developing prostate cancer. This includes African Americans and men who have a first-degree relative (father, brother, or son) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65).
- Age 40 for men at even higher risk (those with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age).
Remember prevention and early detection is always the goal of screening tests and they key factors in fighting cancer.
Skin Cancer
As part of your annual checkup, your doctor should perform a full body skin exam to check for possible signs of skin cancer. A thorough exam of your skin includes checking for moles or marks that are multicolored or asymmetrical. You should also be familiar with the marks on your body. Contact your doctor if you see any changes or abnormalities.
What if you have cancer?
Women have many treatment choices if they have breast cancer. Sometimes the best option is to combine more than one treatment. These are the most common treatments:
Surgery removes the cancer. You may need to have just the area affected by cancer taken out. Or you and your doctor may decide it’s safer to remove the whole breast. Removing the whole breast is called a mastectomy.
Radiation therapy destroys cancer cells. This therapy uses high-energy rays or particles. You may have daily treatments or stronger doses of radiation less often.
With chemotherapy, cancer-killing drugs are put into your body. This is done through a vein or taken by mouth.
Hormone therapy targets the most common kinds of breast cancer. Estrogen helps these kinds of cancers to grow. This therapy blocks the effect of estrogen or lowers the amount of estrogen in your body to prevent certain types of cancer from growing further.
Targeted biologic therapy takes aim at the changes in cancer cells. Certain drugs, for instance, go after some of the proteins that promote cancer cell growth.
Lower your risk
Risk factors are things that raise your chances of having a disease. One risk factor for breast cancer is being older than 50. You are also at extra risk if you started your period before age 12.
While you can’t change those things, there are other things you can do. To lower your risk:
- Keep moving. Research shows exercise helps ward off breast cancer. Try to get 45 to 60 minutes of exercise on 5 or more days a week.
- Drop extra pounds. Being overweight or obese raises your risk for breast cancer. This is more important after menopause. Also, breast cancer tends to be harder on heavier women.
- Limit or stop drinking alcohol. Even light drinking raises your risk a little. If you drink, don’t have more than one drink per day.
- Avoid hormone replacement therapy. Women who have hormone therapy may be at an added risk of getting breast cancer. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of this therapy.
- Eat better. A diet high in fat (especially animal fat) may increase breast cancer risk. Skip the fried foods and eat more fruits and veggies.