6 Cancer Screenings All Women Should Know About

Cancer screenings are one of the most effective cancer prevention tools in finding cancer early. Cancer that's found early may allow doctors to treat it before it's grown or spread to other parts of the body. And some cancers are also easier to treat when they are detected early on. 

Although you may not be experiencing any symptoms or observable changes in the quality of your health, it is still important to get screened regularly for certain forms of cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, there are the six cancer screenings that every woman should have yearly (and more often if you have a family history). 

Six cancer screenings all women should know about:
 

Breast cancer

Decades of research have shown that women who have regular breast cancer screenings, like mammograms, have a greater chance of catching breast cancer early and are less likely to need intensive treatment like breast removal surgery (mastectomy) or chemotherapy. The American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Screening Guideline encourages women who are at average risk for breast cancer to schedule a mammogram between ages 40 to 45 and to begin undergoing annual mammograms by age 45. After age 55, women can change to having mammograms every other year, depending on their level of risk. Some women may want to be screened earlier depending on family or medical history. Some healthcare providers even have the option to have a mammogram in 3D.

Women should also do routine self-exams at home to familiarize themselves with how their breasts look and feel. Always let your healthcare provider know if you ever notice any change in your breast tissue.

Colon and rectal cancer

Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer (a cancer of the colon or rectum) is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the U.S. and is the second cause of cancer-related deaths nationwide. The lifetime risk for developing colon cancer is roughly 1 in 25 for women.

Women should begin getting screenings for colon cancer at age 45 or earlier depending on their family and medical history. There are many different tests that can detect colon and rectal cancer, including at-home options. 

The most familiar preventative method is called a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is a procedure that enables a physician to directly image and examine the entire colon. It is effective in the diagnosis and evaluation of not only colon cancer but also various gastrointestinal disorders like colon polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, bleeding or change in bowel habits. Your doctor may also recommend a non-procedural testing option like a fecal immunochemical test or Cologuard.

Tests like colonoscopies are looking for polyps, which can turn into cancer. Some of the tests include a stool DNA test, colonoscopy or fecal occult blood test, and fecal immunochemical test. You should speak with your doctor to discuss which test would be best for you.

Cervical cancer

Women should begin screening for cervical cancer at age 21, which is cancer of the cervix (the lower part of a uterus). Women should also have a Pap test every three to five years and an HPV test. This can help find cervical cell changes before they become cancer. 

If you have had the HPV vaccine, you should still have routine tests. Women with a higher risk of cervical cancer may need to be screened more often. Most women will not have any symptoms, so it is important to have routine screenings.

Endometrial cancer

Around the age of menopause, women should be regularly screened for endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer is cancer of the endometrium, which is the lining of the uterus. Symptoms like abnormal bleeding or discharge may be early signs, and early detection offers the best outcome for this form of cancer. 

Lung cancer

Any woman ages 55 to 75 that is currently a smoker or was a heavy smoker should speak with their doctor about CT scans to get imaging of their lungs. There are usually no symptoms from lung cancer until after the cancer has advanced. Lung cancer is often difficult to treat because by the time you notice the symptoms, it has often spread to other areas of the body (metastasizing). This is one of the reasons that lung cancer causes the most cancer deaths worldwide, and why it is so important to get screened so it can be caught early.

Skin cancer

You should be familiar with all moles, spots and freckles on your skin so you can notice changes, if any. If you notice any changes to skin spots, you should talk with your doctor. Patients should be familiar with their family medical history in order to determine if they are at an increased risk of developing skin cancer (melanoma). Remember to have your skin examined during annual check-ups or well-woman visits.

Skin cancer can develop anywhere on the body. When checking yourself, take note of all the spots on your body from moles and freckles to age spots. If you find unusual spots, the next step is to set up a skin cancer screening with a dermatologist. Your doctor may choose to biopsy an abnormal area by removing part of it in the office and having it tested for cancer. When caught and removed early, skin cancers are almost always curable.

Being aware of cancer risks and scheduling regular screenings is one of the most important aspects of managing your own healthcare. 

Learn more about cancer care at Ochsner Health.