Cancer Screening and Prevention

Cancer Screening and Prevention

Screenings help find cancer early, before you have any signs or symptoms, when it may be easier to treat. The Riverside Cancer Care Network has developed screening guidelines based on nationally recognized cancer care accrediting bodies for people at average risk.

Personal risk factors, such as family history, genetic conditions and environmental exposures, may place you at a higher risk of getting cancer. Talk with your health care provider about what preventive cancer screenings are right for you and the recommended age to begin screening. You may be recommended to begin screening at an earlier age than those at average risk.

Making healthy lifestyle choices may also prevent or lower your risk of developing cancer.

View Riverside Cancer Care Network’s Guide to Cancer Screening and Prevention

Breast Cancer

Breast self-awareness is important at ALL AGES. Know how your breasts normally look and feel and notify your health care provider if you notice any changes, such as:

• A lump in the breast or under the arm
• Skin changes, including a dimple, redness or thickening
• Change in breast shape or size
• Nipple discharge
• Scaling or redness of the nipple and/or areola
• Nipple retraction or inversion
• New breast pain

Ages 25 to 39

• Clinical breast exam performed by your health care provider every three years

Ages 40 and older

• Screening mammogram every year (consider tomosynthesis, otherwise
  known as a 3D mammogram)
• Clinical breast exam performed by your health care provider every year, preferably before your mammogram

View our breast cancer early detection informational handout

 

Colon and Rectal

Begin screening at age 45, no matter which screening method you choose.

Colonoscopy the gold standard for screening, this is the only screening that allows your health care provider to see the entire length of your colon. Normal exams repeated every 10 years.

At-home stool-based DNA test (Cologuard) Patients that have an abnormal finding will need to have a colonoscopy for further evaluation. Patients with a normal finding will need to repeat this screening every three years.

At-home Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) Patients that have an abnormal finding will need to have a colonoscopy for further evaluation. Patients with a normal finding will need to repeat this screening every year.

View our colorectal cancer early detection informational handout

 

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer screening with a Low Dose CT scan (LDCT) is for individuals who have no signs or symptoms but are at high risk of developing lung cancer because of their smoking history and age.

You should talk to your primary care provider about LDCT screening if:

• You are between 50 and 80 years old
• You have smoked an average of one pack a day for 20 years AND
• You are currently smoking or quit less than 15 years ago

If you meet the criteria for a LDCT, your primary care provider, can order a lung cancer screening for you.

View our lung cancer early detection informational handout.

 

Prostate Cancer

When to talk with your health care provider about your personal risk factors and if screening is right for you:

• Age 50 for men at average risk
• Age 45 for men at high risk — this includes African Americans and men with a first-degree relative (father, son, brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65
• Age 40 for men at even higher risk — this includes men with more than one first-degree relative (father, son, brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65

View our prostate cancer early detection informational handout.

 

Cervical Cancer

Ages 21 to 29

• Begin Pap smears at age 21
• Repeat Pap smear every three years
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) screening is not recommended for ages 21 to 29

Ages 30 to 64

• Pap smears with HPV co-testing every five years OR
• Pap smears without HPV co-testing every three years

Ages 65 and older

• Talk with your health care provider about the recommended screening interval if you have a history of abnormal Pap smears or other abnormal cervical conditions

View our cervical cancer early detection informational handout.

 

Head and Neck Cancer

Have a yearly preventive oral exam and dental cleaning. Notify your health care provider if:

• You notice changes in your voice or hoarseness, a lump in your neck, persistent sore throat, difficulty swallowing or moving your jaw, mouth or lip sores that do not heal, white or red patches, pain in the ear or unexplained weight loss
• You notice changes during a monthly self-screening of your mouth and tongue, especially if you use tobacco or drink alcohol
• You have been exposed to human papillomavirus (HPV), as you may be at higher risk for head and neck cancers

View our head and neck cancer early detection informational handout.

 

Skin Cancer

Beginning at age 18, self-screen monthly and know how your skin normally looks and feels. Notify your health care provider if you notice any changes, such as:

• Asymmetry: One half is unlike the other half
• Borders: Irregular or poorly defined border
• Color: Varied from one area to another (shades of tan or brown, black, red,
  white or blue)
• Diameter: Diameter greater than 6 mm
• Evolution: Changing in size, color or shape

View our skin cancer early detection informational handout.