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.
Cancer Prevention Tips
Making healthy lifestyle choices can prevent or lower your risk of developing cancer.
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Stop Smoking/Vaping
Forty percent of cancers diagnosed in the United States may have a link to tobacco use.
Eat a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet should have plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains AND limit red and processed meats.
Be Physically Active
The American Cancer Society recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise each week.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
A healthy weight can prevent diabetes, a risk factor for cancer.
Limit Alcohol
Avoiding alcohol can reduce your risk of developing cancer. Men should have no more than two drinks a day, and women should have no more than one drink a day.
HPV Prevention
Human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause different types of cancer. An HPV vaccination can prevent the
cancers it causes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 90% of cancers
caused by HPV could be prevented with the HPV vaccine. The CDC recommends HPV vaccination for boys and girls beginning at age nine.
Practice Sun Safety
Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to your face, lips, neck, ears, hands and any other areas not
covered by clothing. Wear hats to protect your scalp and sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays to
protect your eyes.
Get Screened
Screening is key to early detection and prevention of cancer. Talk with your primary care provider or
appropriate specialist about what cancer screenings are right for you.
Understand Family History
Know your family history. If you have a first-degree relative (father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister) with cancer, talk with your health care provider about what age you should begin screenings.
Be Aware of Changes
Knowing what is normal for you is important. If you notice changes, such as blood in your stool, a lump, cough or hoarseness that doesn’t go away, unexplained weight loss, or other signs and symptoms, reach out to your health care provider to assess and diagnose your symptoms.