There are things we push to the back of our minds because we can’t bear to think about them. Don’t let assessing your risk for cancer be one of them. Because the sooner cancer is detected, the higher the chances of surviving it. So be proactive, get screened, and feel good about it.
You’re living in the best time for avoiding cancer. You have more ways than ever to prevent it, or detect it early for effective treatment. Get the recommended tests. Follow the lifestyle guidelines. And enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re taking smart steps to maintain good health.
A mammogram can save your life. By detecting breast cancer in its earliest stages, this screening enables early treatment and better outcomes. At AdventHealth, formerly Florida Hospital, Cancer Institute, our advanced digital technology and expert imaging specialists can find breast cancer up to two years earlier than self-examination.
We’ve made getting a screening mammogram as comfortable, quick, and easy as possible. Equipment with online scheduling and convenient parking all help you get a mammogram on your calendar and over with, without hassle and with minimal discomfort. To schedule a screening mammogram, contact a Care Coordinator.
Who should get screened: If you’re a woman age 40 or older, it’s important that you get a mammogram every year, as should younger women experiencing unusual symptoms.
A colonoscopy is the preferred screening for colorectal cancer. Not only can colonoscopies discover colorectal cancer early for more effective treatment, they can remove precancerous growths to prevent tumors from ever developing.
Who should get screened: If you are 50 or older, the National Cancer Comprehensive Network recommends you get a colonoscopy. African-Americans have a higher risk and should begin screening at 45. Family history is a factor, too, so find out if your relatives have had polyps or colon cancer, and then speak to your primary care physician about potentially getting tested early. Based on the results of your colonoscopy, you’ll be advised as to when you should have your next one.
By getting an annual women’s exam, you’ll be taking the best preventative measure for gynecologic cancer. Regular Pap tests are the best way to screen for one of the most common gynecologic cancers — cervical cancer. They also help find cervical cell changes that may develop into cancer if not treated.
Who should get screened:
Should you ever experience gynecological symptoms, make an appointment to see your OB/GYN, and use a symptom diary to share with your doctor.
Your first-line screening for oral cancer is an annual oral exam performed by your dentist or primary care physician, who check your mouth and throat. If something looks suspicious, tests can either confirm or rule out malignancies.
Who should get screened: If you use tobacco (in any form), and particularly if you are also a heavy alcohol user, you are at the highest risk for head and neck cancers. But even if you don’t use tobacco or alcohol, you should make regular dental and doctor visits for examination.
When lung cancer is detected in its earliest stages, the survival rate improves significantly. And today, we have better detection than ever, thanks to low-dose spiral CT (computed tomography) scans. These take three-dimensional, extremely detailed X-rays of your lungs, and can find very small, early-stage lung cancers that might be missed by traditional X-rays.
Who should get screened: Those 55 and older with a history of smoking one pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years or the equivalent (two packs a day for 15 years, etc.), and who have quit within the past 15 years.
Routine screening most often catches prostate cancer early, even in patients with no symptoms. Your primary care doctor can conduct the two most common screenings: a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. The latter is a simple blood test that checks the level of PSA, a compound produced by the prostate gland. It’s natural to have a low amount of PSA, but if its level is elevated, it could be an indication of prostate infection, inflammation, enlargement, or cancer.
Who should get screened: Men 50 and older should get these screenings. If you have family members with a history of prostate cancer, you should discuss early screening with your doctor.
More than one million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States — making it the most common form of cancer in the country. The good news is skin cancer is almost always curable if detected and treated early. Plus, there are a host of measures that can be taken to greatly reduce your chances of developing the disease.
Stay in the Shade
Avoid tanning outside and UV tanning booths. When outdoors, stay in the shade whenever possible — especially between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.
Cover Up
Wear wide-brimmed hats and long-sleeved shirts and pants. Tightly woven, bright- or dark-colored clothes protect your skin best. Pastels, bleached cotton and white let in the most UV radiation.
Wear Sunglasses
Protect your eyes with UV-blocking sunglasses.
Apply Sunscreen
Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher every day to avoid burning. Apply two tablespoons of sunscreen to the entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or after swimming.
Know your ABCDEs
Use these tips and tricks to check for signs of skin cancer.
A) Asymmetry
In cases of skin cancer, moles or freckles will not be symmetrical. If you were to draw a line through an abnormal spot, you would have two asymmetrical halves.
B) Border
A mole or spot with blurry and/or jagged edges should be evaluated by a doctor. Normal moles usually have solid, smooth edges.
C) Color
A mole that is more than one hue is suspicious and needs to be evaluated by a doctor. This can include lightening or darkening of the mole. Normal spots are usually one color.
D) Diameter
If it is larger than a pencil eraser (about a quarter inch or six millimeters), it needs to be examined by a doctor. This includes areas that do not have any other abnormalities (color, border, asymmetry).
E) Evolving
Abnormal moles may grow larger in width and height. Normal moles should not grow in size or height.
Need to schedule a skin cancer screening? Connect with a care navigator at (407) 303-5999.
Accuracy and timing are key when it comes to cancer prevention. The right diagnostic test may be the difference between detecting cancer early enough to treat it successfully or finding it at a more advanced stage. It’s why our cancer institute invests in the world’s best screening technology and personalized prevention programs. It’s also why we’ve made getting screened as simple as possible, with conveniences like Nurse Navigators, who make scheduling appointments easy and hassle-free.
Approximately five percent to 10 percent of all cancers are rooted in a genetic cause. Let’s understand your history, so we can prepare for a healthy future. If you’re at a higher risk for cancer — if you know cancer plays a part in your family’s medical history — genetic counseling and testing may help you manage your risk and save your life.
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You’re always supported. And you’ll always know what’s ahead. Your Nurse Navigator will coordinate and communicate every detail of your screening tests, from setting up every appointment to helping you understand what to expect before, during, and after your test.
Meet Your Nurse NavigatorWe've seen first-hand that patient education is key to feeling confident and empowered throughout your treatment journey. That’s why we’ve created an extensive education resource to help you better understand your specific tumor type. The more you and your support system know about your condition and how to care for yourself before, during and after your cancer treatment, the more likely you are to follow your team’s medical recommendations throughout the process.