Most women know to get a pap smear once a year. Some people know they are supposed to get a mole check yearly, but did you know there also several other cancer screenings you should have done?
Regular cancer screenings are vital to protecting your health. The doctors at La Peer Health Systems recommend preventative screenings because finding cancer early greatly increases the chance for successful treatment.
While each patient has individual cancer screening needs, based on the family history of cancer, here is a general guide to when and how often you should be seeing your doctor for screenings:
Type of Cancer
Who needs to be screened?
When do I need to be screened?
Breast
All women
Start self breast examinations at the age of 20 and repeat them monthly
Clinical breast exam should occur every 3 years
Schedule your first mammogram around the age of 40 and repeat the breast cancer screening every 1-2 years
Cervical
All women aged 18 and over
Schedule annual pap smears to check for cervical cancer. After 3 normal tests, you can be screened every 1-3 years
Colorectal
Men and women 50 years old and over.
African American men and women should start screenings at age 45.
Fecal occult blood test once a year
Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
Double contrast barium enema every 5 years
Schedule a colonoscopy every 10 years to be screened for colorectal cancer
Prostate
Men 40 years old and over
Schedule a prostate cancer screening every year
Skin
Men and women 20 years old and over
Self skin checks once a month
Skin exams with a dermatologist annually
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Reviews
I had a great experience at the La Peer Surgicenter. The center is very new, nice and clean. Everyone was very kind, professional and accomodating. I was informed of the billing prior to the procedure. The billing was exactly as expected. I really can not think of a way for them to improve the quality Continue Reading
March 9, 2016
I had several procedures at La Peer. Each time my expectations from the previous experiences have been even better. From the admission to discharge La Peer is one of the best providers I have used.
March 9, 2016
My husband and I both had our colonoscopys here and had a very good experience. The staff was very friendly, and greeted us with smiles and a positive energy. My OR staff and anesthesiologist were wonderful. They made us feel safe and comfortable. We woke up easily with no nausea or vomiting, and was offered Continue Reading
December 1, 2015
“Fantastic facility with wonderful customer service – I felt I was in the best place for my procedure. Once waiting for the procedure, all the nurses really worried about how I was and if I was comfortable. My doctor was running a little late so the nurses called my husband to tell him to arrive Continue Reading
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