Screening
Cancer screening is one of the most powerful tools we have to protect against cancer. Not only can screening tests find cancer early when it’s more treatable, it can also help prevent some cancers by finding and treating early abnormal changes in cells before they have a chance to turn into cancer.
Available Siteman Screening Programs
Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine is committed to educating our community about the importance of screenings. Trust starts with our sub-specialized WashU Medicine radiologists affiliated with the internationally recognized Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology.
Although there isn’t a screening test for every cancer, there are a number of effective tests that people should begin to have at certain ages. Guidelines can vary, but talk with your healthcare provider about screening at these ages:
- Age 21:
– Cervical cancer - Age 40:
– Breast cancer
– Prostate cancer (For African American men and others at highest risk, discuss benefits and risks of screening with a healthcare provider) - Age 45:
– Colon cancer
– Prostate cancer (For average-risk men, discuss benefits and risks of screening with a
healthcare provider) - Age 50:
– Lung cancer (For people who smoke or used to smoke)
If you have a family history of cancer, you may need to get tests at a younger age
Together with your provider you can determine which tests may be right for you and how often you should have them. In addition to the tests generally laid out above, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that doctors perform occasional exams for signs of cancer of the thyroid, testicles, ovaries, lymph nodes, oral cavity, and skin. For details on ACS screening recommendations, click here.
One-time screening for hepatitis B and C is also recommended for most adults. Hepatitis B and C infection can increase the risk of liver damage and liver cancer. Treatment can lower risk. For details on these recommendations, click here (hepatitis B) and here (hepatitis C).
Visit Siteman Cancer Center’s Get Screened Now site for more information on cancer screening and how to arrange a screening appointment near you.