EARLY DETECTION OF CANCER

AS RECOMMENDED BY THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

WOMEN

Breast

• Women age 40 and older should have an annual mammogram, and an annual clinical breast exam performed by a health care professional, in addition to their own self examination.
• Women ages 20-39 should have a clinical breast exam performed by a health care professional every 3 years, in addition to their own self-examination.

Uterus (Cervix)

All women who are or have been sexually active or who are 18 or older should have an annual Pap test and pelvic examination. After 3 or more consecutive satisfactory examinations with normal findings, the Pap test may be performed less frequently. Discuss this with your health care professional.

MEN

Prostate

• Men age 50 and older should talk with their health care professional about beginning a digital rectal exam of the prostate gland and a PSA blood test every year.
• Men who are at high risk for getting prostate cancer (African Americans or men who have a history of prostate cancer in close family members) should consider beginning these tests at a younger age.

WOMEN AND MEN

Colon & Rectum

Women and men who are age 50 or older should follow one of the examination schedules below:

The fecal occult blood test every year. It is a simple at home procedure that checks the stool for hidden blood that can be a sign of cancer, polyps, or other internal disorders. In the flexible sigmoidoscopy examination, a physician looks inside the rectum and lower colon through a flexible, hollow, lighted tube. The sigmoidoscope can view almost half of the colon. The exam should be done every 5 years

or

A colonoscopy and a digital rectal exam every 10 years. The colonsocope is long enough to view the entire colon.

or

Double-contrast barium enema plus a digital rectal exam every 5 to 10 years. This procedure consists of a x-ray of the entire colon taken after barium sulfate and air is inserted into the colon. Before the test is given, you will be told how to cleanse your bowels the night before the exam is given.

A digital rectal exam should be done at the same time as a sigmoidocoscopy, colonoscopy, or double contrast barium enema.

Remember, these guidelines are not hard and fast rules, and they apply only to people without symptoms. If you have a change of bowel habits, rectal bleeding, or stomach cramps that don't go away, see your doctor right away.

See article on prostate cancer

FOR AN INFORMATIVE AND PERSONAL ARTICLE ON PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS WHEN SELECTING A NURSING HOME SEE OUR ARTICLE "HOW TO SELECT A NURSING HOME".

By Allan Rubin
http://www.therubins.com

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