|
|
|
| From OncoLog,
April 2006, Vol. 51, No. 4 |
|
M. D. Anderson’s Cancer Screening Guidelines
The following cancer screening guidelines are recommended for those people at average risk for cancer (unless otherwise specified) and without any specific symptoms. Individuals who are at increased risk for certain cancers may need to follow a different screening schedule, such as starting at an earlier age or being screened more often.
BREAST CANCER
- Breast self-awareness: All women should be familiar with their breasts so that they will notice any changes and report them to their doctor without delay. M. D. Anderson does not recommend that women conduct a “formal” breast self-exam anymore but instead recommends that women be familiar with their breasts.
- Between ages 20 and 39 years: Clinical breast exam every 1 to 3 years.
- Age 40 years and older: Yearly mammograms and clinical breast exams, continuing for as long as the patient is in good health. Try to schedule clinical breast exams at the time of regularly scheduled mammograms.
- Additional screening for patients at risk: Women at increased risk of breast cancer (e.g., family history, genetic predisposition, past breast cancer) should talk to their doctors about the benefits and limitations of starting mammograms earlier, having additional tests (e.g., breast ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging), or having more frequent exams.
CERVICAL CANCER
- Beginning 3 years after initiating vaginal intercourse (but no later than age 21 years): Annual Pap test with pelvic exam.
- Beginning at age 30 years and depending on risk factors: After three or more consecutive exams with normal findings, a physician and patient may choose to do them less frequently.
COLORECTAL CANCER
Beginning at age 50 years, men and women should follow one of the five exam schedules below.
- Colonoscopy: Every 10 years. (This screening method is preferred by M. D. Anderson.)
- Fecal occult blood test (FOBT): A yearly take-home multiple-sample FOBT or fecal immunochemical test (FIT).
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy: Every 5 years.
- Annual FOBT or FIT and flexible sigmoidoscopy: Every 5 years. Having both of these tests is recommended over either test alone.
- Double-contrast barium enema: Every 5 years. All positive tests (FOBT, FIT, flexible sigmoidoscopy, barium enema) should be followed up with colonoscopy.
PROSTATE CANCER
Screening risks and benefits should be discussed with a health care provider.
- Beginning at age 50 years: Annual digital rectal exam (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.
- Beginning at age 45 years: DRE and PSA for men at increased risk, i.e., African-American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer.
SKIN CANCER
Patients should promptly show doctors any suspicious skin area, non-healing sore, or change in a mole or freckle.
ENDOMETRIAL, OVARIAN, AND LUNG CANCERS
Benefits of screening individuals at average risk for endometrial, ovarian, and lung cancers have not yet been proven, and screening is therefore not recommended. The following are related conditions to consider:
- Women with hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer: Annual endometrial biopsy is recommended beginning at age 35 years.
- Women with a hereditary ovarian cancer syndrome: Annual or semi-annual pelvic exam, CA 125 blood test, and/or transvaginal ultrasonography.
For
more information on this topic or for questions about M. D. Anderson’s treatments,
programs, or services, call askMDAnderson at (877) MDA-6789.
Other
articles in OncoLog, April 2006 issue:
 TOP
Home/Current Issue | Previous Issues | Articles by Topic | Patient Education
About Oncolog | Contact OncoLog | Sign Up for E-mail Alerts ©2009 The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030
1-877-MDA-6789 (USA) / 1-713-792-3245
Patient Referral Legal Statements Privacy Policy
|
