ADULT HEALTH MILESTONES FOR CANCER PREVENTION

BY DEBORAH JEANNE SERGEANT

Most parents keep up to date with their children’s health milestones, such as regular checkups and scheduled routine vaccinations. However, as people hit middle adulthood, they have their own health milestones to consider for preventing cancer.

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy can detect polyps that could become cancerous. Providers can remove these polyps before that even happens, thereby preventing colorectal cancer.

“Colonoscopies save lives,” said Matthew Chadderdon, vice president of marketing, public affairs and fund development for Auburn Community Hospital. “Colorectal cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented with screening. While colon cancer is most commonly diagnosed in adults that are 50 or older, there has been an increase in the number of diagnoses for younger adults. Colon and rectal cancer have been on the rise, especially for young adults, most likely due to the fact that colon cancer screening remains underutilized.”

Mammography

Mammograms can help women’s healthcare providers detect abnormal tissue which may be cancerous.

“The mammogram remains the most important screening test in the detection of breast cancer, and it likely saves thou- sands of lives every year,” Chadderdon said. “Beginning at the age of 40, all women should have an annual mammogram to check for breast cancer. Depending on a woman’s personal risk, her physician may recommend she begin annual mammograms before the age of 40.”

Early detection of breast cancer can improve efficacy of the treatment. Beginning mammograms at age 35 for a baseline image can help providers look at irregularities with greater discernment.

Women with family history or a genetic indicator or mutation like BRCA1 or 2 may need to start mammograms earlier.

Although women with no family history of breast cancer may feel they can skip mammograms, most women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have the disease in their family health history and one in eight women will receive a diagnosis in her lifetime.

Pap Smears

Performed every three years beginning at age 21, the Pap smear can detect cervical cancer. Most experts recommend that unless they have had a hysterectomy, women continue receiving the test through age 65.

Starting at age 30, an HPV screening for high-risk patients can also detect cervical cancer. Experts say that HPV causes more than 90% of cervical cancers.

In general, patients should check with their health insurance carrier to ensure the screening procedure is covered. For those who are underinsured or uninsured, area clinics can provide no- or low-cost services. The county’s public health department or a healthcare provider can recommend clinics that can help.

Of course, any of these timelines may be affected by a number of factors, including personal and family health history, detected genetic anomalies and the doctor’s and patient’s own comfort level. Everyone should discuss these issues with a provider before making health screening decisions.

Prostate Cancer

Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends this screening to begin at age 55.

However, “for African Americans, it begins a little early compared with Caucasians,” said physician Joseph R. Maldonado Jr., CEO of Four County Management Corp. and executive director for the Medical Societies of the Counties of Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, Chenango, Oswego and Cayuga. “If you have a family history of prostate cancer and happen to be African American, you really have to make sure you have that screening early.”

Testicular Cancer

Although many types of cancer are more prominent in those who are older than age 50, Maldonado said that this type of cancer is more prevalent among young adult men and then later, “there’s another peak in the 50s,” he said.

Asking care providers can offer a more accurate answer as to when this screening is important.