A Woman's Guide to Cancer Screenings
You run two miles every other day and lift weights twice a week. You've been trying to eat more fruits and vegetables and less meat. You don't smoke. When it comes to your health, you figure you've got everything covered. But when was the last time you saw your doctor for a health screening?
Preventive care screenings are vital to everyone's health. For women, Pap smears, clinical breast exams and mammograms are important tools for early detection of disease. Yet many women don't have these tests. There are many reasons for this: no time, fear of finding something, or forgetfulness. If you are afraid of getting bad news, remember this: The vast majority of screening tests come back normal, and even those that don't often do not mean cancer is present. These screenings can help you and your doctor catch cancer at an early stage, when it can be treated successfully.
Health screenings are an investment in your future. Here is a guide to screenings every woman needs for continued good health.
Pap smear
Pap smears can detect precancerous changes in the cells of your cervix before they become cancer. They can also detect cervical cancer in its early stages, when it can be treated most easily. So getting regular Pap smears gives you a better chance of preventing cancer. Occasionally, Pap smears can also help detect some cancers of the uterus and other parts of the female reproductive system.
How is it performed?
During a Pap smear, your doctor will gently scrape cells from the outside of the cervix, which connects the uterus to the vagina. These cells are sent to a lab for analysis. If your doctor tells you your Pap smear results are abnormal, it does not necessarily mean you have cancer. Abnormal cells may indicate an infection or another cause, or they may signal precancerous changes in your cells. If you have an abnormal Pap smear, your doctor will run follow-up tests to determine the cause.
Many women feel uncomfortable about having a Pap smear. If you are nervous about having a Pap smear, talk with your doctor. There may be things he or she can do to make you feel more comfortable.
How often?
Women should have yearly Pap smears starting either at age 21 or within three years of becoming sexually active, whichever comes first. After three or more normal results, and depending upon your risk factors, your doctor may recommend that you have Pap smears every three years. If you have gone through menopause, you still may need to have Pap smears.
Mammogram
A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. It is a safe, effective way to detect cancerous tumors and other abnormal breast conditions. Mammograms can locate a tumor before it can be easily felt and while it is easy to treat.
How is it performed?
During a mammogram, a technician will X-ray each breast twice, once from above and once from the side. To do this, each breast must be compressed between two flat plates so that an accurate image can be taken. This can be mildly uncomfortable, but it only lasts a few seconds. It may help to schedule this test for the week after your menstrual period, when your breasts are less tender and lumpy. On the day of the mammogram, do not use deodorants, lotions or powders. These products can block the image.
Digital mammography, which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), records X-ray images in computer code and stores them electronically instead of on X-ray film, as with conventional mammography. There is no difference in your preparation or the procedure for a mammogram with a digital system.
If any abnormalities show up on the mammogram, your doctor may recommend a biopsy (removal of a small amount of tissue) to check for cancer.
Get your mammogram at a site approved by the FDA for conventional or digital mammography. The FDA ensures that facilities across the country meet quality standards for safety and reliability.
How often?
Mammography is an important tool for detecting breast cancer early on, when it's easiest to treat. But the benefits and limitations of mammography vary based on factors like age and personal risk. Experts have different recommendations for mammography. Currently, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening every two years for women ages 50 to 74. The American Cancer Society recommends yearly screening for all women ages 40 and older. Talk with your doctor about your personal risk factors before making a decision about when to start getting mammograms or how often to get them.
