By Dr. Brian Pitre
As the saying goes, prevention is better than a cure. Regular checkups and screenings are important parts of everyone’s preventive care. They are key for maintaining good health and reducing your risk of serious health conditions.
Two of the most important screenings for women are for breast cancer and colorectal cancer. Excluding skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer found in women in the United States. Colorectal cancer is not far behind in fourth place, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This is why screening is so vital. The tests can find cancer early, in its most treatable stages, which in turn helps save lives. Screenings for some types of cancer even can detect cells that are precancerous, and doctors can remove them before tumors form.
It’s also important to know when you should be screened and the types of screening options available.
BREAST CANCER SCREENING
Many breast cancers don’t come with symptoms. They only are detected on a mammogram screening, which is why we encourage annual mammograms for most women age 40 and older regardless of family history.
Women at a high risk of breast cancer may need to start screening before age 40. They also may need a breast MRI to provide more details about their breast tissue.
The most advanced form of breast cancer screening is a 3D mammogram. Multiple images of the breast are captured from different angles using X-ray. Then, they are merged into a three-dimensional view of the breast. This allows a radiologist to carefully look through different layers of the image, making it easier to spot any areas of concern.
COLORECTAL SCREENING
Starting at age 45, women at average risk should talk with a healthcare provider about testing options. Women with a high risk of colorectal cancer may need to start screening earlier. You are considered average risk if you have none of the following factors:
- Personal history of polyps or colorectal cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome
- Previous abdominal or pelvic radiation treatment
- Family history of colorectal cancer
The gold standard of colon-cancer screening is a colonoscopy. This is a procedure that looks inside of your colon for possible signs of disease. Patients who have normal results can go 10 years between colonoscopies, which end for most people at age 75.
Other test options for colorectal cancer screening include stool-based tests and other types of visual exams. Stool testing is required every one to three years, depending on the type of test used. The two visual exam alternatives to a colonoscopy are CT colonography or sigmoidoscopy. Both options require testing every five years.
Keep your health on the right track with regular checkups and screenings. If you develop any symptoms that cause concern, see your doctor for early detection.
Dr. Brian Pitre specializes in general surgery at Ochsner Health. Call (866) 624-7637 to make an appointment or visit www.ochsner.org/screenings to learn more.