The importance of cancer screenings

Diagnosis & Treatment

August 25, 2022

Cancer screenings are essential for both men and women. They can help detect cancer early when it is most treatable. Family members can also play a role in helping their loved ones get screened for cancer. Patients and family members can work together to keep themselves healthy by being aware of the importance of cancer screenings.

Cancer screenings include a range of different types that can be used to find cancer in its early stages. These tests may help you catch your condition before any symptoms develop, and they’re also helpful for checking if something was missed when looking at the results from a previous test. Some types of cancer currently do not have an effective screening method. Developing new cancer screening tests is an area of active research. Types of screening tests 

  • Mammography (Breast Cancer) 
  • Pap Test/ HPV Testing (Cervical Cancer) 
  • Colonoscopy/ (Colorectal Cancer) 
  • General Health Screening (Head and Neck Cancer) 
  • DRE/PSA Test (Prostate Cancer) 

Not all screenings are needed to be done for specific individuals, and some may not apply at all. However, most will start when the person reaches a certain age range – it is best if you follow your provider’s recommendations on what they recommend as far as ages go!

Like getting your yearly checkup, routine screenings should be a regular part of life. Screening recommendations and ages: 

  • Age 25-39 (Cervical screening for anyone with a cervix) 
  • Age 40-49 (Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, screenings) 
  • Age 50 + (Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Lung Cancer, Prostate Cancer screenings) 

> https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/online-documents/en/pdf/flyers/cancer-screenings-save-lives.pdf 

There’s no need to panic if your doctor requests for you to get a cancer screening. Many screenings are routine for specific age groups. If you do receive abnormal results, do not panic. Regular screenings can allow you to catch cancer before you even begin to have symptoms. Getting abnormal results will call for more tests to get a better look at what may have been seen and allow your doctor to get a better understanding and, if need be, come up with a game plan on how to treat you. Most abnormal findings do not result in a cancer diagnosis. For more information on cancer screenings, visit: https://www.cancer.org/healthy/find-cancer-early/screening-recommendations-by-age.html