The 2 Cancer Screenings You Should Never Skip

The Mammogram
The mammogram remains the most important screening test in the detection of breast cancer and it likely saves thousands of lives every year.

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.

Schedule a Mammogram at Penn Medicine
Penn offers dedicated breast imagers with access to digital mammography, breast ultrasound and MRI. All mammograms performed at Penn are connected to a comprehensive breast cancer program at the Abramson Cancer Center, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center.

Also, most locations offer same-day, walk-in appointments.

Mammograms at Penn Medicine are offered at the following locations: 

• Penn Medicine Valley Forge
• Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine*
• Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
• Pennsylvania Hospital
• Penn Medicine Radnor

Schedule a mammogram at Penn Medicine
Call 1-800-789-PENN (7366) to schedule a mammogram at Penn.

The Colonoscopy
Colorectal cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented with screening. More than 90 percent of people diagnosed with colon cancer are age 50 or older.

Current screening recommendations in the United States include:

• Men and women over the age of 50 be screened for colorectal cancer
• Those with a personal or family history of colon polyps, cancer at an early age or certain chronic medical conditions be encouraged to be screened starting at an earlier age.

Although the incidence of colorectal cancer and cancer-related deaths is decreasing, colon cancer screening remains underutilized. Consequently, colorectal remains the third most common cancer worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer deaths.

One of the main barriers to colorectal screening is the lack of awareness of the disease. Colorectal cancer tends to not be discussed as openly as other conditions such as breast or lung cancer. Furthermore, the thought of undergoing a colonoscopy is not appealing.. This is compounded by the fact that there is a general misperception about the study.

Colonoscopy can detect early tumors, and more importantly pre-cancerous growths of tissue called polyps. Polyps can be removed at the time of the procedure, thereby preventing cancer from developing.

Colonoscopies at Penn Medicine are offered at the following locations: 

• Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine
• Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
• Pennsylvania Hospital
• Penn Medicine Radnor

Schedule a colonoscopy at Penn Medicine

Are you 50 years old or older? Make an appointment at Penn Medicine for your routine colonoscopy by calling 1-800-789-PENN (7366).

 *Digital breast tomosynthesis, a revolutionary way to perform mammograms combining traditional mammography with 3D technology, is offered at the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicien. DBT allows for more accurate pictures of breast health. Women who get their mammograms using the new DBT technology at Penn may find they are called less often for follow-up visits and more tests.Learn more about DBT at Penn, and how you can schedule your DBT mammogram at Penn.

What to Expect at Your Annual Physical

Lori M. Noble, MD, a primary care physician at Spruce Internal Medicine, located at the new Penn Medicine Washington Square building, discusses what to expect at your annual physical.

Lori M. Noble, MD

Going to the doctor for your annual physical can be nerve-racking. You have questions and concerns, your doctor has a separate agenda full of blood tests, studies and vaccines, and all of this typically needs to be addressed in 30 minutes.

To help you avoid feeling overwhelmed, take a look below at tests your doctor may address at your next physical based on the latest United States Preventative Services Task Force recommendations.

For tips of staying healthy, check out Guidelines for Maintaining Good Health.

Cholesterol blood test:

WHO: Women over the age of 45 and men over the age of 35, every 5 years.
WHY: Cholesterol levels help predict risk of future heart attack and stroke. If, along with other risk factors, cholesterol levels point to an elevated risk, your doctor may suggest changing your diet, exercising more, and/or medication.
NOTE: Depending on conditions, such as diabetes or strong family history of cholesterol or heart disease, your doctor may start checking earlier and more frequently.

Also check out Guidelines for Maintaining Good Health

Colonoscopy:

WHO: All women and men age 50-75, every 10 years.
WHY: To detect and remove colon polyps, which could turn into colon cancer if left untreated.
NOTES: (1) If you have colon polyps, you will likely need to return for a repeat colonoscopy in 3-5 years. 2) The colonoscopy is the best test for colon cancer screening, but there are alternatives. Ask your doctor about this option if you are unable to complete a colonoscopy. 3) If you have a strong family history of colon cancer (i.e. a parent or sibling), your doctor may refer you for a colonoscopy earlier.

Abdominal Ultrasound

WHO: One time in men age 65-75 who smoke or who have previously smoked cigarettes.
WHY: To detect an aneurysm of the aorta (the largest blood vessel in the body), for which male smokers are at increased risk.
NOTE: If an aneurysm is detected, you will likely need periodic repeat ultrasounds. If the aneurism is large, surgery may be recommended.

Pap smear:

WHO: All women from the age of 21-65, every 3-5 years
WHY: To detect HPV (human papilloma virus), the virus that can cause changes to the cervix, which ultimately can turn into cervical cancer if not treated.
NOTE: You may need to be checked more often if the result comes back abnormal.

Mammogram:

WHO: All women from the age of 50-74, every 1-2 years; women aged 40-49 should have a discussion with their doctors to determine if they should be screened.
WHY: To detect breast cancer in its early stages.
NOTE: If a strong family history of breast cancer (i.e. your mother or sister) exists, you may be referred for mammography earlier.

Bone density testing (aka - DEXA scan)

WHO: All women over 65, every 2 years.
WHY: To detect low bone density, called osteoporosis, which increases the risk of fractures.
NOTES: 1) Women with risk factors for osteoporosis (such as a smoking history, a family history, low body weight, or history of fracture) are recommended to start screening at age 60. 2) There is no agreed upon age at which to stop screening at this time.

So now when it’s time to schedule your yearly physical, be prepared and armed with the knowledge about what to expect.

To help prepare for your next doctor’s visit, Penn Primary Care has also developed Guidelines for Maintaining Good Health, which can be found in the patient resources tab of PennMedicine.org/PrimaryCare.

Ready to schedule an appointment
with a Penn primary care physician?