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Top 5 Cancer Screenings for the New Year

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With the new year we often set new health goals. “The benefit of regular cancer screenings is that smaller, asymptomatic cancers are detected early, so treatment can be more successful,” said Dr. Robert Smith, senior vice president of cancer screening at the American Cancer Society.

She said cancer screening should be considered part of a preventative health plan, which means staying up to date on cancer screenings recommended for your gender and age group.

Healthline reported that the top five cancer screenings that should be done in the new year include the following:

1. Breast cancer screening

Mammography is a test that analyzes whether there are early signs of breast cancer. Regular exams allow doctors to compare breast changes over time and detect breast cancer early, up to three years later. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), women have an average risk of developing breast cancer. In other words, the following guidelines are recommended for women who have a personal or family history of breast cancer, who do not have a genetic mutation known to increase breast cancer risk, and who have not received chest radiation therapy before 30 years.

Women between the ages of 40 and 44 can begin having mammograms annually. Women between the ages of 45 and 54 should have a mammogram annually. Women over age 55 can get a mammogram every year or every two years if they are in good health and are expected to have at least another 10 years of life expectancy.

2. Cervical cancer screening

Cervical cancer screening can help detect or prevent cervical cancer early. The test is performed by collecting cells and mucus from the cervix and surrounding areas. The test is carried out in two ways. There is an HPV test that detects the human papilloma virus, which can cause cellular changes in the cervix, and a cervical cytology test that detects changes in cervical cells. In this regard, Khan said: “Cervical cancer screening usually begins after the age of 18, and women can undergo a pap smear along with an HPV DNA test to assess whether they are at high risk of developing cervical cancer.” .

3. Colon cancer screening

The United States Preventive Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that all men and women between the ages of 45 and 75 be screened for colorectal cancer. However, people over age 75 and those at high risk for colon cancer should consult a doctor about screening. There are several screening tests that can detect polyps or colon cancer, but colonoscopy is often used for preventative screening. If your colonoscopy results are normal, medical staff recommend that you get tested again within 10 years. However, screening intervals may vary depending on the individual and their risk of developing the disease.

4. Prostate cancer screening

The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test detects PSA, a protein produced by prostate cells. The higher the PSA level, the higher the risk of developing prostate cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), prostate cancer screening is mandatory starting at age 50, when the risk of developing prostate cancer increases. Additionally, African American men and men diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65, men at high risk of developing prostate cancer by age 45, and those who have a family member who has suffered of prostate cancer at a young age should undergo screening. prostate cancer Recommended to see.

5. Lung cancer screening

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that people who meet the following criteria be screened for lung cancer once a year. If you have a history of smoking for more than 20 years, are currently smoking, or are a former smoker who quit within the last 15 years and are between the ages of 50 and 80.

Meanwhile, low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is the only recommended test for lung cancer. This test is done quickly by taking images of the lungs with an X-ray machine.

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