Survival plan
Screenings are your best shot at catching cancer early
By Sara Cardine 01/19/2012
In 2011, nearly 1.6 million Americans were estimated to have received a cancer diagnosis, according to the American Cancer Society. Despite this astonishing number, the ultimate outcomes of these diagnoses will depend largely on the individuals themselves and, more specifically, on how early their cancer was detected.
Finding signs of cancer as soon as possible is the best way to ensure survival, and for men and women, there are a number of cancer screenings available to help you beat the odds.
An increasing awareness of breast cancer prevention in recent decades has declined its mortality rate. Today, about 60 percent of breast cancers are diagnosed at a localized stage, for which the five-year survival rate is 98 percent.
Annual mammograms are recommended for women 40 and over, though if you have a family history of cancer, a doctor might chart an earlier course for prevention and screening. Breast implants can complicate a mammogram, making it difficult for clinicians to see the tissue underneath, so if you have implants, be sure to look for a clinic that is known to specialize in this particular kind of screening.
Health experts also recommend a clinical breast exam every three years for women in their 20s and 30s and every one year for women 40 and over. Additionally, be familiar with the shape and feel of your breasts, so you can look for changes or growths that may crop up between doctor visits.
Another potentially deadly cancer that is rapidly declining is cervical cancer, as more women receive regular pap smears during doctor visits that catch abnormalities in earlier, more treatable stages. Some women have also benefited from the 2006 release of a vaccine known to prevent contraction of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is linked to cervical cancer. Each year, 6.2 million Americans contract the virus, and 75 percent to 90 percent of people who’ve had sex will have had it at least once in their lifetime. That number, however, is sure to decline as laws make the vaccine available for young girls and boys.
In men, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer next to skin cancer — the Cancer Society predicted 240,890 new cases in 2011. Like breast cancer, prostate cancer has a very high survival rate if detected early. The prostate-specific antigen test (PSA) is a blood test that detects levels of protein produced by the prostate and can be an indicator of overall prostate health and is covered by most health insurers. African-American men and Jamaican men of African descent are at the highest risk for this form of cancer and are encouraged to get checked by age 50.
Colorectal cancer and is the third deadliest cancer for both men and women, and it is suggested that all people over 50 seek some form of screening. There are different methods used to check for cancerous growths and polyps, though two widely used options are flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy.
During a flexible sigmoidoscopy, a doctor uses a flexible, half-inch tube to examine the lining of the rectum and the lower one-third of the colon. This should be performed every five years on people 50 and older. A colonoscopy, checks the large intestine for ulcers, abnormal growths and bleeding. If anything is found a tissue sample can be taken during the exam. This is recommended every 10 years.
For those still years away from the age benchmarks listed above, checkups can help find and treat early signs of cancer. If you have periodic health exams, ask about a cancer-related checkup, which includes exams related to finding cancer in the thyroid, mouth, skin, lymph nodes, testes and ovaries. Also reduce your risk by eliminating tobacco use, maintaining a healthy weight through proper nutrition and exercise, limiting alcohol intake, protecting your skin and knowing your own family’s health history as well as knowing your own personal risk.
For more information, visit the American Cancer Society at cancer.org.
DIGG | del.icio.us | REDDIT