Cancer screenings are meant to detect cancer in patients before they show any symptoms. If evidence of cancer is caught early enough, the condition may be more treatable and yield more positive results. Serving patients in Staten Island, New York, Richmond University Medical Center provides several types of oncology services. Learn more about our women’s recommended cancer screenings based on age-related risk factors and other considerations.
Cancer Screenings for Women
Make cancer screenings part of your routine healthcare plan. Women are susceptible to certain types of cancers that require different types of screenings. These screening tests include:
- Breast cancer: Breast X-rays, or mammograms, are the best way to detect breast cancer early.
- Cervical cancer: The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for pre-cancers, cell changes on the cervix that may become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately.
- Colorectal cancer: During a colonoscopy, the physician uses a thin, flexible, lighted tube to check for polyps or cancer inside the rectum and the colon. During the test, the physician can find and remove most polyps and some cancers. A colonoscopy is also used as a follow-up test if anything unusual is found during one of the other screenings.
- Lung cancer: The recommended screening test for lung cancer is low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). During an LDCT scan, you lie on a table and an X-ray machine uses a low dose of radiation to create detailed images of your lungs.
Recommended Screenings by Age
Cancer screenings are often recommended based on the age of the patient. The following recommendations are for women who have an average risk of cancer. If you believe you may be at a higher risk due to your lifestyle or family history, speak with a physician on when a cancer screening is right for you.
Ages 21-29
- Breast cancer testing: Talk to your physician if you are at a higher risk.
- Cervical cancer testing: Starting at age 21, women should get a Pap test to check for cervical cancer. If the results are normal, you should be tested every three years.
Ages 30-39
- Breast cancer testing: If women notice any lumps or changes to their breasts, they should let their physician know.
- Cervical cancer testing: Women should get a primary HPV test every 5 years.
Ages 40-49
- Breast cancer testing: Women should begin receiving mammograms every year starting at age 45.
- Cervical cancer testing: Continue receiving a primary HPV test every 5 years.
Ages 50-64
- Breast cancer testing: Starting at age 55, women should switch to getting mammograms every 2 years, or you can continue to get one every year. Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live at least 10 more years.
- Cervical cancer testing: Continue to receive a primary HPV test every 5 years.
- Colorectal cancer testing: A colonoscopy is recommended every 10 years for women, beginning at age 50.
- Lung cancer testing: Women 50 years and older should talk to a healthcare provider about their smoking history to determine whether they should be getting screened for early lung cancer.
Prioritize Early Cancer Detection
With the proper cancer screening, women can have their cancer detected early enough to treat, giving them a better possibility of being the disease. Richmond University Medical Center provides oncology services to women in Staten Island, New York. To learn more about women’s recommended cancer screening, please contact us today.
