WHY GET SCREENED?

Many people have understandably delayed getting screened for cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staying current on recommended screenings is essential for proactively maintaining your health. Cancer screenings are being conducted in safe, convenient locations. They are following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to keep you safe.

Early detection may save your life because it can identify cancer at its earliest, most treatable stages. Oncologists recommend routine cancer screenings for many individuals. Take charge of your health and schedule a screening today.

The CDC and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) advises that women who are 50 to 74 years old and are at average risk for breast cancer get a mammogram every two years. Women aged 40 to 49 should consult with their doctor about how often to get screened for breast cancer.

The CDC and USPSTF recommend adults ages 50 to 75 be screened regularly for colorectal cancer. Consult with your doctor to determine the type of screening that’s right for you and how frequently you should be screened.

Many men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not show symptoms, which is why early detection is extremely vital. Screening tests available include a prostate exam, recommended for men aged 50 to 69, and prostate-specific antigen blood test, recommended for men 70 years and older by the USPSTF.

  • Prostate Cancer: What You Should Know About Cancer and Diagnosis (CancerCare)
  • Screening for Prostate Cancer (CDC)
  • Prostate Cancer – What You Should Know About Screening (Time to Screen/CancerCare)

Men and women of all ages and races can develop skin cancer, the most serious form of skin cancer. It is widely believed to be caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun and other sources, such as tanning lamps. Skin cancer is most treatable when detected in its earliest stages. Talk to your doctor about risk factors for melanoma and when you should be screened.

Screening for lung cancer is recommended annually for people who have a history of heavy smoking (one pack of cigarettes a day), smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years and are between the ages of 50 and 80 years old.

Two screening tests, the Pap test and the HPV test, can help prevent cervical cancer in women. The CDC recommends that women should receive one of those screening procedures beginning at age 21. Speak to your doctor about the frequency of screenings and what screening procedure to receive.

  • Cervical Cancer Screening (CDC)

Time to Screen is a collaboration between the non-profits CancerCare and the Community Oncology Alliance (COA) to encourage people to take control of their health by getting recommended cancer screenings back on track.