Cancer Screening for Women
Cancer Screening for Women
Blog Article
Cancer screening tests are designed to find cancer before there are any symptoms. Diagnosing cancer early increases the chances of cure. Effective screening tests are those that:
- Find cancer early
- Reduce the chance that someone who is screened regularly will die from the cancer
- Have more potential benefits than harms
So, getting tested is something we should all do regardless of the inconvenience, particularly for those of us with a family history of certain types of cancers.
Breast Cancer Screening:
- Women ages 40-44 should have the choice to start screening mammograms after discussing the risks and benefits with their provider.
- Women ages 45 to 54 should get a mammogram every year.
- Women ages 55 and older should get a mammogram every 2 years, with the choice to continue getting them every year.
- Continue screening as long as the woman is in good health and expected to live 10 years or more.
- A clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, is no longer recommended.
- While monthly self-breast exams are no longer recommended, women should still be familiar with their normal breast tissue and report any changes in appearance, size, or feel of the tissue or nipples, or any nipple discharge to their doctor.