Prevention is the Key to Survival and Healthy Living
It may seem like a waste of time to “fix what’s not broken” but screening is the key to a better outcome in cancer and other illnesses. When you can find the cancer early, you typically face less aggressive treatments, and are more likely to beat the disease before it can spread.
The further you are along in cancer the more aggressive the treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery you will most likely need. These all have serious side effects, some that may decrease your life span or ironically, kill you. Many of my patients who were cancer survivors passed away 5 years later due to complications from the treatments they received for their cancer, not the cancer itself. Get tested and treated early!
There are many different screening guidelines or organizations making recommendations. United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF), the American Cancer Society (ACS), International Digestive Cancer Alliance (IDCA), and World Health Organization (WHO) are just a few.
Click here for all the different guidelines for breast cancer alone. You will see slight differences in all of them.
Be your own advocate!
Some of the guidelines in the United States (US) are political and monetary. Insurance companies are a huge lobby in the US. They do not benefit in the long term by screening a patient that is most likely not going to be on that same insurance for decades. Unfortunately, big business does not always make decisions that are in your best interest.
Do not allow their decisions to cause you harm. Be your own advocate!
What are the current cancer screening recommendations?
American Cancer Society Recommendations for those at average risk:
- Breast Cancer—Mammogram screenings start at 40 years old for women.
- Colon Cancer—Screenings start at 45 years old for men and women
- Cervical Cancer—Screenings start at 25 years old for women
- Lung Cancer—ACS has currently removed and is reviewing their recommendations for lung cancer screening.
- Prostate Cancer—African American persons or persons who have a brother or father diagnosed with prostate cancer before 65 years old should start screening at 45 years old. All other men should start prostate cancer screening at 50 years old.
- Please see their website for a more in-depth look at the ACS recommendations: https://www.cancer.org/healthy/find-cancer-early/american-cancer-society-guidelines-for-the-early-detection-of-cancer.html
How can I get checked if I don’t have insurance?
This isn’t as hard as it may seem. You need to be your own advocate and not be afraid to ask!
- Call your local hospital. Every hospital I have worked with in multiple states throughout the United States has had a program to offer free cancer screenings such as breast, cervical, colon and prostate screenings. I have personally volunteered to work in these clinics. They were always offered during their prospective cancer awareness month. Sometimes the screenings are offered without questions such as about your income, residency or insurance status. If your local hospital doesn’t offer this they may know where it is offered. Clinics and hospitals have yearly galas to raise money for these programs so utilize them!
- Call your county health department. Health departments have a variety of resources set up, especially in women’s and children’s health, at no or low cost to the public such as cervical cancer screenings. If they don’t have the screening you need they may know where to point you. Here is an example of services at one state’s health department. https://www.floridahealth.gov/PROGRAMS-AND-SERVICES/index.html
- Call your local County Community Health Center. I can’t say enough about Community Health Centers. They are sometimes not well known to the general public but are an amazing asset to overall health care. In addition to medical, they often have an onsite pharmacy, dental and vision care. Look for one that is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and a Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) deemed facility such as this one https://www.fchcinc.org/
- Look online for FREE screening resources specific to your healthcare need such as freemammograms.org. This is an amazing resource for local free mammograms throughout the United States.
- ACS website for free or low cost cancer screening resources.
Get Screened
Again, studies repeatedly show that early detection decreases the need for aggressive treatments and increases your chance of being cured or a healthier survival. It is your body and your health. Take care of yourself!