Cancer screening is an important part of the health care we provide for you and your family members. We want you to establish your medical care with one of our outstanding physicians, nurse practitioners or physician assistants and make our clinic your “medical home”. The specific examinations and testing you need to screen for cancer depend on you age, sex, family history and other important factors. Your personal health care provider is the best person to help you make the right decisions on which examinations and tests are best for you.
Common cancer screening tests may include:
- Breast cancer: Yearly breast exams by a clinician and monthly self breast exams are recommended for all women age 18 and older. A mammogram is recommended every 1-2 years for women over 40 years of age unless you have a family history of breast cancer.
- Pap smears for cancer of the cervix: A pap smear should be done three years after a woman’s first sexual intercourse or age 21. Then, every 1-3 years as determined by your personal provider of health care.
- Prostate cancer: Rectal examination of the prostate and a special blood test (PSA) are done for men over age 50 or earlier if recommended by your personal provider.
- Colon cancer: Several options are available to screen for colon cancer including sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, x-rays, or checking specimens for hidden blood. Which tests to order depend on a discussion with your personal provider of care. He/she will also help decide the best age to start testing which is usually age 50.
Our helpful staff will assist you in determining which programs are available to help pay for the services you need. See Payment Options for further information.
