Download here - HCMS Group

your
Health
your
Decisions
Volume 9, Issue 2 | February 2016
Screening for Cancer
Breast and Colorectal Cancer Screening
The American Cancer Society (ACS)
estimates there will be nearly 1.7
million new cancer diagnoses, and
nearly 600,000 cancer deaths, in
2016. While there are several risk
factors for cancer you can’t control
(gender, race, age, family history),
there are lifestyle actions that have
been associated with the prevention
of cancer. Experts recommend living a healthy lifestyle, including not
smoking, eating a well-balanced
diet (more vegetables, fruits and
whole grains/less processed food
and red meat), protecting against
sunburn, exercising regularly, keeping a healthy work/family balance,
and having preventive screening
tests that are right for you. Identifying cancer at its earlier stages increases the possibility of successful
treatment.
The Number One Cancer
The most common kind of cancer is
breast cancer. The National Cancer
Institute estimates 246,660 women
and 2,600 men will develop breast
cancer, and 40,450 women and 440
men will die from the disease this
year. Being a woman is the main
factor associated with breast cancer
risk, but also being 50 or older and
having changes in breast cancer
genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2). Factors
that decrease risk include being
older when menstruation started,
entering menopause at a younger
age (shorter exposure to the hormones estrogen and progesterone
that can contribute to breast cancer), giving birth to multiple children when under 30 and breastfeeding, exercising regularly and
being in a healthy weight range.
These factors increase your risk:
long-term use of hormone replacement therapy (including birth control pills), family history, exposure
to DES (diethylstilbestrol) either
personally or if taken by your mother during her pregnancy with you,
dense breasts, use (or overuse) of
alcohol and night-shift work.
Since it is possible for women without any known risk factors (besides
being female) to develop breast
cancer, it is important to discuss
your personal risk profile with your
healthcare provider who may suggest preventive screenings.
The ACS updated its screening recommendations last October and
recommends that women of average risk start routine, annual mammography at age 45 and transition
to screening every 2 years at age
55. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
415 W 17th Street, Suite 250 | Cheyenne, WY 82001 | www.hcmsgroup.com/knovasolutions
T 800/355-0885 | F 307/316-0753
Screening for Colorectal
Cancer and Polyps
 Sigmoidoscopy: a sigmoidoscope (flexible lighted tube
with a camera on the end) is
inserted in rectum/part of
colon. Colon/rectum must be
emptied with enemas/
laxatives. May include sedation and removal of polyps if
present. Bleeding and puncture of the colon are possible,
but very small risks. 5 years.*
 Colonoscopy: a colonoscope
(thin lighted tube with a camera on the end) is inserted in
rectum/colon. Requires test
prep to empty colon/rectum.
Usually includes sedation.
Polyps or other tissue can be
removed/sampled. Bleeding
and puncture of the colon/
rectum are possible, small
risks. 10 years.*
 Double-contrast barium enema: a chalky liquid (barium
sulfate) and air are put in
colon/rectum and x-rayed.
Laxatives and enema are
required to empty the colon/
rectum. No sedation. Very
small risk of colon puncture.
Exposure to a small amount
of radiation. 5 years.*
 CT colonography: a CT
(computed tomography) scan
uses x-rays to view images of
the colon/rectum, which must
be emptied. Contrast solution
taken orally. Air is pumped
into colon/rectum. Very small
risk of colon puncture. Exposure to a small amount of
radiation. 5 years.*
*General time frames, may vary.
encourages women to perform selfexams (as part of general breast
self-awareness) and to have clinical
breast exams. ACOG states that
women 40 years and older should
be offered annual screening mammograms. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends beginning mammograms at
age 50 and performing them every
2 years until age 74.
The risks of mammography include
false-positive and false-negative
results. False-positive results occur
when a mammogram identifies abnormal tissue, but there is no cancer present. This situation requires
additional testing, such as ultrasound and biopsy. A false-negative
result reports no cancer when cancer is present; a mammogram is
effective 80% of the time. The most
likely reason for a false-negative
result is dense breast tissue (more
areas of fibrous and glandular tissue that make spotting cancer difficult). The risks and benefits of
mammography can be discussed
with your healthcare provider in
light of your risk factors and values.
Another Common Cancer
While breast cancer leads the pack,
colon and rectal (colorectal) cancers
are also common. The ACS estimates 134,490 new cases will be
diagnosed and 49,190 deaths associated with the disease will occur
this year. The risk factors for colorectal cancer are family history of
colorectal cancer, polyps and related genetic syndromes; and personal
history of chronic inflammatory
bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or
Crohn’s disease).
Colorectal cancer almost always
develops from polyps (abnormal
growths) in the colon or rectum.
Screening tests are used to detect
this cancer when no symptoms
(abdominal pain, changes in bowel
habits, bleeding, constipation or
diarrhea) are present. Several organizations, including the ACS and
USPSTF, have issued guidelines for
colorectal screening and all agree
that people without symptoms
should begin routine screening at
age 50. Each organization offers
different guidelines for the frequency of screening and the age at
which to stop screening.
Colorectal cancer screenings that
test for cancer and polyps are preferred, since polyps may develop
before cancer. These tests are sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, doublecontrast barium enema, and CT
colonography. If polyps or cancer
are discovered during a sigmoidoscopy, barium enema or CT
colonography, a colonoscopy will be
recommended. These tests are
described in the box on the left.
Screening tests for cancer only (not
polyps) are stool sample tests that
look for blood in the stool. They
include the fecal occult blood test,
the fecal immunochemical test, and
the stool DNA test. If blood is
found, additional testing is required.
Your Health, Your Decision
Deciding to have preventive screening tests for cancer is a personal
decision. It is helpful to consider
your family history, current health,
personal preferences and your provider’s recommendations. KnovaSolutions is available to provide more
information about the risks and
benefits of available screening options for these and other types of
cancer. Call 800/355-0885.
The information contained in this newsletter is for general, educational purposes. It should not be considered a
replacement for consultation with your healthcare provider. If you have concerns about your health, please contact your healthcare provider.
© 2015 HCMS Group
|
[email protected]
|
All information is confidential and HIPAA protected.