Cancer Screenings: When You Need Them & Why

Cancer is a scary word. When you hear it, you may think of pink ribbons for breast cancer awareness, a loved one who has had this diagnosis, or perhaps even of yourself if you are a cancer survivor. Although cancer can be challenging to think about, by being proactive, understanding what impacts your risk of cancer, and knowing more about your cancer risk as well as necessary cancer screenings, you can decrease your risk of cancer, and if you do get it, hopefully catch it very early. 

Below are answers to frequently asked questions to help you live your healthiest life. 

What impacts my risk of getting cancer?

Cancer risk is determined by multiple factors, including genetics, environmental exposures, and lifestyle habits. 

• Lifestyle Habits: For example, people who use tobacco have an increased risk of lung cancer, while people who drink a lot of alcohol have an increased risk of liver cancer. Eating processed meat and excessive sun exposure increases cancer risk, while getting adequate physical activity, eating vegetables, safer sex practices, and breastfeeding your baby decrease your risk. For more information about lifestyle behaviors that impact cancer risk, visit the American Institute for Cancer Research website.
• Family Medical History: There are some types of cancer where a person’s risk is elevated if they have a close family member who has had this type of cancer. Typically, having a first-degree relative (biological mother, father, sister, or brother) impacts risk more than having a distant relative with a cancer history.
• Vaccines: Getting vaccines such as Hepatitis B (decreases the risk of liver cancer) and the Human Papilloma Virus vaccine (decreases the risk of cervical cancer) are helpful too.
• Exposure to Chemicals: In addition to chemical exposure through tobacco use, cancer risk can also increase with exposure to toxic chemicals such as asbestos and vinyl chloride. We are surrounded by chemicals daily and this can be an area that is confusing, so explore this resource and talk with your employer if you have concerns.
• Chance: Unknown factors and chance plays a role in cancer as well. Even people with very healthy lifestyles and no family risk of cancer can still get cancer.

What type of cancer screening should I be doing at my age?

Cancer screening is typically based on the type of cancer, your family and personal medical history, and your age. Some common types of cancer screening are listed below. Although they are typically started at certain ages, the ages may change based on your personal or family history. 

• Breast cancer screening should start at age 40
• Lung cancer screening usually starts at age 50
• Colorectal cancer screening should start at age 45
• Cervical cancer screening usually starts at age 21
• Skin cancer screening may be done during annual visits. If you have a strong family history of skin cancer, you should start as early as possible

What information is important for my healthcare provider to know, to help me understand my risk of cancer and screenings that I should do?

• Family history of cancer: which side of your family tree, type of cancer, age at diagnosis and death (if applicable)
• Lifestyle behaviors: for example, tobacco use, alcohol use, amount of physical activity, typical foods eaten, sun exposure without sunscreen, etc.
• Personal medical history: any personal history of cancer and all medical conditions
• Abnormal symptoms: anything that is unusual or different for you. For example, if you notice a new breast lump, you should let your healthcare provider know so that they can help you determine what is needed to rule out breast cancer. 

Who can I talk to if I have more questions about cancer?

At Diana Health, we are here to listen to your questions and answer them to the best of our ability. Your Certified Nurse Midwife and OB/GYN will likely be able to answer most of your cancer-related questions. However, if you have more detailed questions about your cancer risk, your healthcare provider may refer you to a genetic counselor who has additional expertise with assessing cancer risk that is genetically linked. If you’d like to have an initial consultation to discuss your cancer risks, you can book a virtual visit with us, so you don’t even have to leave your home!

Hopefully, after reviewing this information, you feel better equipped to decrease your cancer risk. By reporting any unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider, coming in for regular medical check-ups, getting recommended cancer screenings, and engaging in healthy lifestyle behaviors, you are doing what you can to decrease your risk of cancer, and if you happen to get cancer, you will have a better chance at having it diagnosed earlier when it is easier to treat. 

Links to Michelle Tollefson’s (the writer of this blog!) breast cancer story videos https://365health.org/blog/breast-cancer-awareness-month-following-one-womans-journey/