New Cancer Screening Guidelines

The chances of surviving cancer are often better when it is detected and treated early.  Regular screening can make a difference.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has released new guidelines for screening for cancer. Following are the ACS-recommended screening guidelines for individuals who are at average risk for developing cancer.

Breast Cancer

• Women in their 20s and 30s should get a clinical breast exam every three years.
• Women age 40 and older should get a clinical breast exam every year.
• Annual mammogram starting at age 40.
• Breast self-exams are optional.
• Report any breast changes promptly to a doctor.

Colon and Rectal Cancer

Starting at age 50, men and women should follow one of the five testing schedules:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT),
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years,
• Yearly FOBT or FIT plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years,
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years

All positive tests should be followed up with a colonoscopy.

Cervical Cancer

• Women should get annual Pap tests starting about three years after first vaginal intercourse or by age 21. 
• Beginning at age 30, women who have had three normal Pap tests in a row may get screened every 2 to 3 years.
• Women 70 years of age and older who have had three normal Pap test in a row and no abnormal Pap tests for a decade may stop having the screening.

Prostate Cancer

• Beginning at age 50, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal exam (DRE) should be offered men annually who have a life expectancy of at least 10 more years
• Doctors and patients should discuss the benefits and limitations of the PSA test.

Discuss with your doctor your risk for developing cancer and the screening schedule that is best for you.  If you are at increased risk, you may need to be screening at an earlier age or more often.

Symptoms that could be related to cancer should be reported to your doctor right away.

Source:  CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, January/February 2006.