Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2016 - 13

AT A G L A N C E TAKE ACTION: GET SCREENED For certain types of cancer, having regular screening tests increases the chances that the disease will be detected early, when it's most likely to be curable. Here are the tests the American Cancer Society recommends, along with when and how often to have them. Lung Cancer CT Scan Men and women 55 to 74: If you have at least a 30 packyear smoking history (defined as one pack a day for 30 years or two packs a day for 15 years) and you are either still smoking or have quit within the past 15 years, you should get a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest every year. NOTE: If you are at high risk for cancer because of a family history or other factors, you may need to be screened at an earlier age or more frequently. Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening Men and women 50 and older should get one of the following: * Colonoscopy (every 10 years) * Flexible sigmoidoscopy (every five years) * Double-contrast barium enema (every five years) * CT colonography (every five years) Mammogram (Breast X-Ray) Women 40 to 44: A yearly test is optional. Women 45 to 54: A yearly test is recommended. Women 55 and older: A test every one to two years is recommended, as long as you are in good health and expected to live 10 years or longer. Pap Test Women 21 to 29: Once every three years. Women 30 to 65: A Pap test once every three years, or a Pap test and an HPV test once every five years. Women older than 65: May stop testing if they have had normal results in the past 10 years. Prostate Cancer Test Men 50 and older: Talk to a health care provider about the pros and cons of getting the prostatespecific antigen (PSA) blood test, with or without a digital rectal exam. Men who are African-American or who have a first-degree relative who had prostate cancer before age 65 should consider beginning tests at age 45. Those who have more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at any age should consider beginning testing at age 40. Other Ways to Reduce Your Risk Lifestyle measures can make a big difference in your risk for cancer. In addition to getting recommended screenings, the American Cancer Society advises: smoke or * Don't chew tobacco. and * Achieve maintain a healthy * * * * * weight. Engage in regular physical activity. Eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. Limit consumption of alcoholic beverages. Protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Understand your family history and personal risks for cancer. umuch.org | Fall 2016 13 http://www.umuch.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2016