Cancer Prevention and Screenings

The American Cancer Society recommends yearly screening for lung cancer with a low-dose CT (LDCT) scan for people ages 50 to 80 who:

• Smoke or used to smoke

AND

• Have at least a 20 pack-year history of smoking

A pack-year is equal to smoking one pack (or about 20 cigarettes) per day for a year. For example, a person could have a 20 pack-year history by smoking one pack a day for 20 years, or by smoking two packs a day for 10 years.

Before deciding to be screened, people should have a discussion with a healthcare professional about the purpose of screening and how it is done, as well as the benefits, limits, and possible harms of screening.

People who still smoke should be counseled about quitting and offered interventions and resources to help them.

People should not be screened if they have serious health problems that will likely limit how long they will live, or if they won’t be able to or won’t want to get treatment if lung cancer is found.

Lung Cancer Care at UAMS Health

Quit Smoking Programs

Tobacco use can lead to tobacco/nicotine dependence and serious health problems. Quitting smoking greatly reduces the risk of developing smoking-related diseases. Learn More

• Women ages 40 to 44 should have the choice to start annual breast cancer screening with mammograms (x-rays of the breast) if they wish to do so.
• Women aged 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.
• Women 55 and older should switch to mammograms every 2 years or can continue yearly screening.
• Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live 10 more years or longer.
• All women should be familiar with the known benefits, limitations, and potential harms linked to breast cancer screening.

Women should also know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast changes to a health care provider right away.

Some women – because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors – should be screened with MRIs along with mammograms. (The number of women who fall into this category is very small.) Talk with a healthcare provider about your risk for breast cancer and the best screening plan for you.

• Breast Cancer Care at UAMS Health
• Breast Center
• Mammovan

• Cervical cancer screening should start at age 25. People under age 25 should not be tested because cervical cancer is rare in this age group.
• People between the ages of 25 and 65 should get a primary HPV (human papillomavirus) test* done every five years. If a primary HPV test is not available, a co-test (an HPV test with a Pap test) every five years or a Pap test every three years are still good options.

(*A primary HPV test is an HPV test that is done by itself for screening. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved certain tests to be primary HPV tests.)

The most important thing to remember is to get screened regularly, no matter which test you get.

• People over age 65 who have had regular cervical cancer testing in the past 10 years with normal results should not be tested for cervical cancer. Once testing is stopped, it should not be started again. Those with a history of serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for at least 25 years after that diagnosis, even if testing goes past age 65.
• People whose cervix has been removed by surgery for reasons not related to cervical cancer or serious pre-cancer should not be tested.
• People who have been vaccinated against HPV should still follow the screening recommendations for their age groups.

Some individuals — because of their health history (HIV infection, organ transplant, DES exposure, etc.) — may need a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Talk to a healthcare provider about your history.

Gynecologic Cancer Care at UAMS Health

For people at average risk for colorectal cancer, the American Cancer Society recommends starting regular screening at age 45. This can be done either with a sensitive test that looks for signs of cancer in a person’s stool (a stool-based test) or with an exam that looks at the colon and rectum (a visual exam). Talk to your health care provider about which tests might be good options for you, and to your insurance provider about your coverage. No matter which test you choose, the most important thing is to get screened.

If you’re in good health, you should continue regular screening through age 75.

For people ages 76 through 85, talk with your healthcare provider about whether continuing to get screened is right for you. When deciding, take into account your own preferences, overall health, and past screening history.

People over 85 should no longer get colorectal cancer screening.

If you choose to be screened with a test other than a colonoscopy, any abnormal test result needs to be followed up with a colonoscopy.

Gastrointestinal Cancer Care at UAMS Health

Starting at age 45, men at higher than average risk of prostate cancer should talk with a doctor about the uncertainties, risks, and potential benefits of testing so they can decide if they want to be tested. This includes African American men and men with close family members (father, brother, son) who had prostate cancer before age 65.

Men with more than one close relative who had prostate cancer before age 65 are at even higher risk and should talk with a doctor about testing starting at age 40.

Genitourinary Cancer Care at UAMS Health

• Stay away from all forms of tobacco.
• Get to and stay at a healthy weight.
• Get moving with regular physical activity.
• Eat healthy with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• It’s best not to drink alcohol. If you do drink, have no more than one drink per day for women or two per day for men.
• Protect your skin.
• Know yourself, your family history, and your risks.
• Get regular check-ups and cancer screening tests.