Find it early. Live longer.
You want to protect your health and catch problems before they become serious.
Early cancer screening can help find cancer sooner, when treatment is often more effective. By understanding when to get screened, you can take an important step toward better outcomes.
Explore the screening guidelines below and talk with your primary care provider about what is right for you.
You want to catch problems early, before they become serious.
Because colon cancer is increasing in younger adults, screening is now recommended starting at age 45. Based on your family history or lifestyle, your provider may recommend starting even earlier.
There are several ways to screen, but a colonoscopy is the only test that can help prevent colon cancer by finding and removing pre-cancerous polyps before they develop into cancer.
Resources
Catching lung cancer early can make a life-saving difference.
A low-dose CT scan can reduce your risk of dying from lung cancer by 20% if you are considered high risk. It uses a small amount of radiation to check your lungs and takes about one minute to complete.
Screening guidelines have been expanded to help more people detect lung cancer sooner. You may qualify if you meet the criteria below.
Talk with your provider to see if this screening is right for you. Criteria:
- Have a 20 pack-year or more history. A pack-year is smoking an average of one pack of cigarettes per day for one year. For example, a person could have a 20 pack-year history by smoking one pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years.
- Smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years.
- Are between 50 and 80 years old.
- Have no signs or symptoms of lung cancer.
Frequently asked questions about a low-dose CT scan
Immediate and long-term benefits of quitting smoking
New: Learn about a new $52 self-pay screening option with prepayment
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, except for skin cancers.
• There is a 1 in 8 chance a woman will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.
• 5-year survival rates for breast cancer:
- 99% if detected early before it spreads.
- 86% if it spreads to lymph nodes or nearby structures.
- 30% if it spreads to distant parts of the body, like lungs, liver or bones.
Screenings
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend all women age 40 and older at average risk of breast cancer should have an annual screening mammogram. In addition, all women should have a clinical breast examination by a physician every year, along with a monthly self-examination.
Women with higher-than-average risk of breast cancer should have a clinical breast examination by a physician every 6-12 months and should consider a high-risk screening of an annual breast MRI along with annual mammogram.
Self-referral screening mammogram
Take charge of your breast health. We’ll guide you every step of the way.
Genesis HealthCare System makes it simple for you to schedule a screening mammogram, even if you don’t have a primary care provider (PCP). Our team provides accurate imaging and coordinated follow-up, so you can feel confident and supported throughout the process.
Is a self-referral screening mammogram right for you?
This option is designed for you if:
- You do not have a PCP.
- You’re 40 or older and ready for routine preventive care.
- You feel well and aren’t experiencing specific breast concerns.
- It’s been at least 366 days since your last mammogram.
If you’re experiencing any of the following, a screening mammogram is not appropriate:
- A new breast lump
- Pain in one specific area
- Nipple discharge
- Changes in breast shape or skin texture
- A recent breast injury
Please contact and establish care with a healthcare provider, primary care provider or women's health provider, to discuss your symptoms and determine the appropriate next steps.
Pregnant or breastfeeding? Our team can help determine the safest and most effective approach for your screening.
Ready to schedule your screening? Call us at 740-454-4242.
Talk with your doctor
Discuss your risk for breast cancer and a plan for a screening mammogram with your Primary Care Physician or your OB/GYN.
According to the American Cancer Society:
• About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.
• Prostate cancer is more likely to develop in older men, with the average age of 67 when first diagnosed.
• Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind lung cancer.
• About 1 in 43 men will die of prostate cancer.
Early detection matters:
• 99% – 5-year survival rate if cancer is detected early before it spreads or only spreads to nearby structures or lymph nodes.
• 32% – 5-year survival rate if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body such as the lungs, liver or bones.
Your screening options:
• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test
• Digital rectal exam (DRE)
• No single screening is absolute. A diagnosis is usually dependent on several factors, and other tests like a prostate biopsy or an MRI may be needed.
Discuss your options with your Primary Care Physician. You may also be referred to a Urologist for testing, diagnosis and a plan of treatment if you are diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Ready to take the next step in your journey?
Make an appointment to see how Genesis HealthCare System can help