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Prevention & Detection
Everyone is at risk for developing cancer. That's why the team at Reid has established some general guidelines to help people decrease their risk.
Cancer Prevention Guidelines
- Schedule routine visits to your physician for regular checkups and follow-ups.
- Eat healthy, balanced meals that are low in saturated fats.
- Practice good nutrition, including a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
- Exercise regularly - at least 30 minutes a day, three times a week.
- Control your weight.
- Don't smoke or quit if you do smoke.
- Protect yourself from the sun's ultraviolet rays.
- Be aware of environmental and occupational hazards.
Early Detection
Specific screenings have also been established by the American Cancer Society to help detect cancer early on and to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body.
Breast Cancer:
- Women should have a yearly mammogram starting at age 40.
- Self-breast exam (SBE) should be done monthly starting at age 20.
- Women with a family history or increased risk for breast cancer should discuss this with their doctor and develop a follow-up routine for continued care.
Colon and Rectal Cancer:
- Men and women at age 50 are at average risk for developing colorectal cancer.
- You should have a yearly fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test. These are tests performed by the patient in their home and can be purchased at their pharmacy. Reid Hospital offers a take-home testing kit that is available by contacting Community Education, (765) 983-3094.
Beginning at age 50:
- A flexible sigmoidoscopy should be performed every five years.
- A colonoscopy should be performed every 10 years.
- Double contrast barium enema is recommended every five years.
- Those with a personal or strong family history of colorectal cancer or polyps should be followed more closely.
- Those with a history of chronic inflammatory bowel syndrome should be monitored more closely.
Cervical Cancer:
- Screenings should begin three years after a woman's first vaginal intercourse but no later than 21 years of age.
- A 30-year-old woman who has had three normal Pap test results may be screened every 2-3 years.
- Women with certain risk factors, abnormalities or concerns should be screened yearly.
- Screening should be performed every year with the regular Pap test.
Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer:
- Any woman with abnormal bleeding or spotting should notify their physician and discuss their plan of care.
- All women need to be informed of the risk for uterine cancer and have discussions with their physician regarding their plan of care.
Prostate Cancer:
- At age 40, every man should have an initial digital rectal exam (DRE) along with a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test.
- A digital rectal exam should always be done along with a PSA to detect any abnormalities or elevations.
- Men at a higher risk for prostate cancer should start DRE and PSA at age 40.
- These tests should occur yearly at age 50.
For information, please feel free to contact us or talk to your primary care physician about scheduling a screening.
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