When should you consider breast cancer screenings?

• High Risk: Women who are high risk for breast cancer are advised to have MRI surveillance starting at age 25 to 30. These women are also encouraged to begin annual mammograms at age 25 to 40, depending on their individual risk type.
• Age 40-74: Start screening with mammogram annually.
• Age 75 and over: Should continue with mammograms as long as their overall health is good, and they have a life expectancy of 10 or more years

Who is considered high risk for breast cancer?

The high-risk category includes those with:

• An increased risk of breast cancer as a result of genetics, including those with BRCA1 mutations.
• A calculated lifetime risk of 20% or more.
• Exposure to chest radiation at a young age.
• Additionally, women diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 50 or those who have a personal history of breast cancer and dense breasts should have annual supplemental breast MRIs. Women who are high risk but are unable to undergo MRI screenings should consider contrast-enhanced mammography.

What kinds of screenings are there for breast cancer?

Regular screenings for breast cancer typically include clinical breast exams and mammograms.

If you have a family history of breast cancer genetic testing might be recommended to see if you have any inherited conditions. Please reach out to our team at SCRI Oncology Partners to meet with a genetic counselor to discuss whether this is a good idea for you.

At what age should you consider cervical cancer screenings?

• Age 25-65: Patients should have an HPV test every 5 years. If HPV testing is not available, patients can get screened with an HPV/PAP co-test every 5 years, or a PAP test every three years.
• Age 65 and older: No screening needed if a series of prior tests were normal.

Who is considered high risk for cervical cancer?

People who are considered high-risk include those with:

• A history of severe cervical dysplasia
• A persistent HPV infection after age 30
• Diethylstilbestrol exposure before birth

What kinds of screenings are there for cervical cancer?

As mentioned above, common screenings include HPV and PAP tests. You should still receive screenings even if you have had the HPV vaccine.

When should you consider colorectal cancer screenings?

• Age 45-75: Patients at average risk (are in good health and with a life expectancy of more than 10 years) should have regular colorectal cancer screenings every five years.
• Age 76-85: The decision to be screened should be based on patient preference, life expectancy, overall health and prior screening history.
• Age 86 and over: Should no longer get colorectal cancer screening.

Who is considered high risk for colorectal cancer?

People who are at an increased or high risk for colorectal cancer might need to start screening before the age of 45, be screened more often and/or get specific tests. This includes those with:

• A personal history or a strong family history of colorectal cancer or certain types of polyps.
• A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease).
• A known family history of a hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome (also known as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer or HNPCC).
• A personal history of radiation to the abdomen (belly) or pelvic area to re-treat a prior cancer.

What kinds of screenings are there for colorectal cancer?

• Stool-based Tests—including fecal immunochemical tests, guaiac-based fecal occult blood test or multi-targeted stool DNA tests (mt-sDNA).
• Visual (structural) exams of the colon & rectum—including colonoscopies, CT colonographies (virtual colonoscopy) or flexible sigmoidoscopies (FSIG).

When should you consider lung cancer screenings?

Lung cancer screenings are only recommended for those patients who are aged 50 to 80 years and who meet the following qualifications:

• Fairly good health.
• A current or former smoker (within the past 15 years).
• Have at least a 20-pack-year smoking history.

Who is considered high risk for lung cancer?

People who are considered high-risk include those with:

• A history of smoking within the past 15 years.
• Exposure to radon, asbestos, beryllium or other occupational hazards.

What kinds of screenings are there for lung cancer?

An annual lung cancer screening with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) is recommended for people who meet the above qualifications.

When should you consider pancreatic cancer screenings?

Pancreatic cancer screening in high-risk individuals should begin at age 50 years, or 10 years younger than the initial age of familial onset. The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy recommends all patients with the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic variant undergo screening, regardless of prior family history.

If you are not high risk, there is currently no recommended screening routine for pancreatic cancer, although there are new cancer research technologies that suggest we may eventually have an effective screening blood test for early detection of pancreatic cancer tumor markers.

Who is considered high risk for pancreatic cancer?

People who are considered high-risk include those with:

• Certain gene mutations such as ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, Lynch Syndrome and others.
• Family history of pancreatic cancer in two or more first-degree relatives.
• Family history of pancreatic cancer in three or more first and/or second-degree relatives.

What kinds of screenings are there for pancreatic cancer?

If you have a family history of pancreatic cancer genetic testing might be recommended to see if you have any inherited conditions. Please contact our team at SCRI Oncology Partners to meet with a genetic counselor to discuss whether this is a good idea for you.

For those who are high-risk, the two most common tests are endoscopic ultrasounds (EUS) or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP).

At what age should you consider prostate cancer screenings?

Average Risk:

• Age 50-69: Consider screening with a PSA based on your personal preference, family history and current health.
• Age 70: Patients 70+ should not routinely be screened for prostate cancer.

High Risk:

• Age 45-69: Consider screening with prostate-specific antigen tests (PSA) at the age of 45 if you are at high risk.

Who is considered high risk for prostate cancer?

High-risk populations for prostate cancer include people who:

• Are African-American
• Have at least one first-degree relative (father or brother) who has had prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65)
• Have a genetic predisposition for prostate cancer (ex. BRCA1/2 positive, or other genes)

What kinds of screenings are there for prostate cancer?

Screenings for prostate cancer include prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests and digital rectal exams.

When should you consider skin cancer screenings?

Skin cancer screenings are important, and many skin cancer doctors recommend starting self-checks at age 18, as skin cancer can affect anyone. If you notice a suspicious mole or spot, it’s best to schedule a screening with a dermatologist right away. Regular full-body screenings with a professional should start in your 20s or 30s, or more frequently if you have higher risk factors like a history of sunburns or a family history of skin cancer.

Who is considered high risk for skin cancer?

Anyone can develop skin cancer, but certain characteristics can increase your risk. If any of the following apply to you, it’s a good idea to take extra care with your skin and consider regular screenings:

• Light natural skin color, especially if it burns, freckles, or reddens easily.
• Blue or green eyes, or blond or red hair.
• A history of sunburns, frequent tanning, or use of tanning beds.
• Extensive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, whether through long-term sun exposure or occasional intense sunburns.
• A personal or family history of skin cancer.
• A fair complexion with a tendency to sunburn.
• Having 50 or more moles or certain types of moles.
• Older age, as more time in the sun over the years increases the risk.

If you recognize any of these traits in yourself, it’s always best to speak with a dermatologist about how to protect your skin and stay safe.

What kinds of screenings are there for skin cancer?

During a skin cancer screening, your provider will carefully examine your skin from head to toe, including areas like your scalp, behind your ears, fingers, buttocks and feet. You’ll change into a gown, allowing for a thorough check of any moles or spots that might look unusual. If needed, your provider may use a dermatoscope, a special magnifying tool with a light, to get a closer look. If they find a spot that seems suspicious, they may recommend a biopsy, where a small skin sample is taken and checked under a microscope for cancer cells. Not all suspicious spots turn out to be cancer, but if a biopsy does find skin cancer, your provider will walk you through your diagnosis and the next steps for treatment.