Medical screening means looking for early stages or warning signs of disease, often before any symptoms appear. Screenings allow us to detect, and sometimes prevent, cancers and other diseases in their early stages when they are most treatable, which can save lives. Not all screenings are recommended for everyone. Most are specific to age and some are specific to gender. The following cancers and diseases have screening tests available to help keep you healthy and disease free.
Recommended health screenings for both men and women include:
Colorectal cancer – Cancer that occurs in either the colon or rectum. Both men and women aged 50 years are recommended to be screened for colorectal cancer. There are three main tests to screen for colorectal cancer:
· High-Sensitivity FOBT (Stool Test) – a simple take-home test kit allows you to take samples of your stool. After returning it to your doctor, your stool will be tested for the presence of blood, which is often a symptom of colorectal cancer. This is recommended once a year.
· Colonoscopy – known as the GOLD STANDARD for colorectal cancer screening. It is recommended every 10 years if no abnormalities are detected. If there are polyps or a family history, your doctor may recommend screening at earlier intervals. The test consists of a long, flexible and lighted tube inserted in the rectum to check the entire colon for precancerous polyps. During a colonoscopy, the doctor may remove a polyp if present.
· Flexible Sigmoidoscopy – this test is just like a colonoscopy except a shorter tube is used to view the lower third of the colon. It is recommended every five years. It is not, however, as complete an examination as a complete colonoscopy.
Skin cancer – There are two common ways to screen for skin cancer:
· Full-body skin exam by a doctor – each year your primary care physician (PCP) or dermatologist should look over your body to check for abnormal moles or lesions, as well as changes to pre-existing moles.
· Skin self-exam – each month you should examine your own skin to check for new, abnormal, or changing moles, lesions, or sores. By checking yourself on a monthly basis you will begin to recognize what is normal for your skin.
Depression – Your emotional health is as important as your physical health. If you have felt hopeless or uninterested in doing things you normally enjoy, you may be depressed. Screening for depression should be done on an annual basis during your check up. If you think you might be feeling depressed, contact your EAP for immediate assistance (COMPSYCH 1- 800-379-0243).
At your annual check-up with your family physician, you can have your cholesterol, blood sugar, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure checked to determine if your levels are healthy. Cholesterol and blood sugar screening require blood to be drawn after fasting for 12 hours. BMI and blood pressure screening can be done within minutes by a doctor or nurse. These tests screen for high cholesterol and blood pressure, diabetes, and overweight and allow your doctor to determine if you need medication to help normalize your levels, adjust your prescription, or recommend dietary and lifestyle changes. These screenings are also done annually at the health assessment. Attend this event at your workplace and bring your results to your PCP to discuss them and ensure up-to-date records and proper medical care.
Men: Additional screenings recommended for men include:
Prostate cancer – A complete check of the male prostate includes BOTH of two commonly used tools to screen men for prostate cancer and is recommended for men at age 50, or for those men who are part of an ethnic group that experiences more prostate cancer:
· Digital rectal exam (DRE) – allows doctor or nurse to estimate the size of the prostate and to feel for any abnormalities in the structure of the prostate.
· Prostate specific antigen test (PSA) – a blood test to measure the level of PSA in the blood. An elevated level of PSA in the blood can be caused by prostate cancer or other conditions. It is important to note that the PSA should be drawn prior to the digital rectal examination.
To read more about prostate cancer, see last week’s blog.
Breast cancer – Although this cancer is more common in women, it is important for men to check their breasts for lumps on a regular basis and to see a doctor immediately if lumps or symptoms are detected.
Breast cancer – Although this cancer is more common in women, it is important for men to check their breasts for lumps on a regular basis and to see a doctor immediately if lumps or symptoms are detected.
Women: Additional screenings recommended for women include:
Breast cancer – There are three main tests to screen a woman’s breast for cancer before signs or symptoms are present. If a woman has a family member with breast cancer, especially a mother, sister, or daughter, she should be screened at an earlier age and should discuss with her doctor when to begin.
· Mammogram – an X-ray of the breast, recommended for women on an annual basis, beginning at age 40.
· Clinical breast exam – an examination by a Gynecologist or PCP to feel for lumps or changes recommended on an annual basis, beginning at age 18.
· Breast self-exam – examine yourself for lumps or changes in size or shape, recommended on a monthly basis (same time in menstrual cycle every month due to changes in breast tissue) beginning at age 18.
Osteoporosis – A bone density test is recommended every two years for women beginning at age 65. If you have the following risk factors, talk to your doctor about being screened earlier: female, Caucasian, underweight, post-menopause or amenorrhea, chair-bound or sedentary, family history of osteoporosis. Read about osteoporosis prevention.
Cervical cancer – The method of screening women for cervical cancer is a Pap test done by your Gynecologist or PCP, which is recommended annually or every 2-3 years, beginning at age 21 or within 3 years of sexual activity, whichever comes first.
Timing is Everything
Screening guidelines always include an age at which screening is recommended to begin. However, if you have a higher risk for a disease due to other medical conditions, a family history, or symptoms, talk to your doctor about being screened earlier. See a doctor immediately if you are experiencing symptoms.
Your risk for cancer and other diseases can also be reduced by practicing prevention:
· Maintain a healthy weight by eating right and exercising
· Limit use of alcohol
· Don’t smoke
· Visit your doctor on an annual basis and discuss with him/her your family history
· Have your screenings done when recommended
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