OncoLife Care Plan

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE), performed by a healthcare professional, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
• In addition to mammograms and CBE, a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) is a good way to monitor breast health. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any change promptly to their health care provider.

The ACS recommends that some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small- less than 2% of all US women.  Talk with your doctor about your personal history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age. For more information, see the ACS article, Breast Cancer: Early Detection. 

Cervical Cancer Screening

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 using the following methods:

• Age 21-29: Pap testing done every 3 years. HPV testing is used only to follow up abnormal Pap results.
• Age 30-65: Pap testing and HPV test done every 5 years. Alternatively, a woman could have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
• Over age 65: women who have had normal Pap results can stop testing all together.  Women who have had a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for 20 years after that diagnosis, even if this continues past age 65.
• Women who have had their uterus & cervix removed for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need testing.
• Women who have had HPV vaccination should still have Pap testing per the above guidelines.

Some women, because of their history, may need to have a different screening schedule for cervical cancer. Please see the ACS document, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for more information.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Screening

The ACS recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. Some women, because of their history, may want to consider having a yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your past medical and gynecologic history to determine whether you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general cancer screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Prostate Cancer Screening

Prostate screening recommendations from the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommend that men discuss the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening with their physician, and make an informed decision about whether to be screened or not. Men at average risk for prostate cancer should have this discussion starting at age 50. Men with a father or brother who had prostate cancer before age 65, and all African American men, should have this talk starting at age 40 or 45. If you decide to be tested, you should have a PSA blood test with a digital rectal exam. How often you are tested will depend on your PSA result and family history. For more information, please see the document, Prostate Cancer: Early Detection.

Testicular Cancer Screening

The majority of testicular cancers occur between the ages of 15 and 45. All men should examine their testicles regularly, be familiar with their normal look and feel, and report any changes to their healthcare provider for further investigation. Visit the ACS for a guide to performing a testicular self-exam.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Prostate Cancer Screening

Prostate screening recommendations from the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommend that men discuss the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening with their physician, and make an informed decision about whether to be screened or not. Men at average risk for prostate cancer should have this discussion starting at age 50. Men with a father or brother who had prostate cancer before age 65, and all African American men, should have this talk starting at age 40 or 45. If you decide to be tested, you should have a PSA blood test with a digital rectal exam. How often you are tested will depend on your PSA result and family history. For more information, please see the document, Prostate Cancer: Early Detection.

Testicular Cancer Screening

The majority of testicular cancers occur between the ages of 15 and 45. All men should examine their testicles regularly, be familiar with their normal look and feel, and report any changes to their healthcare provider for further investigation. Visit the ACS for a guide to performing a testicular self-exam.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Prostate Cancer Screening

Prostate screening recommendations from the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommend that men discuss the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening with their physician, and make an informed decision about whether to be screened or not. Men at average risk for prostate cancer should have this discussion starting at age 50. Men with a father or brother who had prostate cancer before age 65, and all African American men, should have this talk starting at age 40 or 45. If you decide to be tested, you should have a PSA blood test with a digital rectal exam. How often you are tested will depend on your PSA result and family history. For more information, please see the document, Prostate Cancer: Early Detection.

Testicular Cancer Screening

The majority of testicular cancers occur between the ages of 15 and 45. All men should examine their testicles regularly, be familiar with their normal look and feel, and report any changes to their healthcare provider for further investigation. Visit the ACS for a guide to performing a testicular self-exam.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Prostate Cancer Screening

Prostate screening recommendations from the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommend that men discuss the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening with their physician, and make an informed decision about whether to be screened or not. Men at average risk for prostate cancer should have this discussion starting at age 50. Men with a father or brother who had prostate cancer before age 65, and all African American men, should have this talk starting at age 40 or 45. If you decide to be tested, you should have a PSA blood test with a digital rectal exam. How often you are tested will depend on your PSA result and family history. For more information, please see the document, Prostate Cancer: Early Detection.

Testicular Cancer Screening

The majority of testicular cancers occur between the ages of 15 and 45. All men should examine their testicles regularly, be familiar with their normal look and feel, and report any changes to their healthcare provider for further investigation. Visit the ACS for a guide to performing a testicular self-exam.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Prostate Cancer Screening

Prostate screening recommendations from the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommend that men discuss the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening with their physician, and make an informed decision about whether to be screened or not. Men at average risk for prostate cancer should have this discussion starting at age 50. Men with a father or brother who had prostate cancer before age 65, and all African American men, should have this talk starting at age 40 or 45. If you decide to be tested, you should have a PSA blood test with a digital rectal exam. How often you are tested will depend on your PSA result and family history. For more information, please see the document, Prostate Cancer: Early Detection.

Testicular Cancer Screening

The majority of testicular cancers occur between the ages of 15 and 45. All men should examine their testicles regularly, be familiar with their normal look and feel, and report any changes to their healthcare provider for further investigation. Visit the ACS for a guide to performing a testicular self-exam.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.

Prostate Cancer Screening

Prostate screening recommendations from the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommend that men discuss the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening with their physician, and make an informed decision about whether to be screened or not. Men at average risk for prostate cancer should have this discussion starting at age 50. Men with a father or brother who had prostate cancer before age 65, and all African American men, should have this talk starting at age 40 or 45. If you decide to be tested, you should have a PSA blood test with a digital rectal exam. How often you are tested will depend on your PSA result and family history. For more information, please see the document, Prostate Cancer: Early Detection.

Testicular Cancer Screening

The majority of testicular cancers occur between the ages of 15 and 45. All men should examine their testicles regularly, be familiar with their normal look and feel, and report any changes to their healthcare provider for further investigation. Visit the ACS for a guide to performing a testicular self-exam.

For More Information:

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about general screening recommendations.

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Most men and women over the age of 50 should undergo routine screening for colon and rectal cancer. Testing may be appropriate for younger people with a high-risk personal or family health history.

Options for colon cancer screening can be divided into those that screen for both cancer and polyps, and those that just screen for cancer. Tests that screen for cancer and polyps include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Tests that screen mainly for cancer include stool testing for blood, or stool DNA testing. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening options.

The “preferred screening” recommended by the American College of Gastroenterologists is a colonoscopy every 10 years. The ACS recommends screening beginning at age 50 (unless you are considered “high risk,” see below), using one of the following testing schedules:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

(Preferred over those that find cancer alone. If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Tests that primarily test for cancer:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)*, or
• Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) *, or
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

* The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history, and what colorectal cancer screening test and schedule is best for you. For more information on colorectal cancer from the ACS, read: Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection.

Individuals at higher risk of colon cancer should have screening earlier and potentially more frequently. Individuals at higher risk of colon and rectal cancer include:

• Individuals with a family history of colon or rectal cancer in a relative who was diagnosed before the age of 60.
• Individuals with a history of polyps.
• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to colon or rectal cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome.

For more detailed information regarding screening for individuals at higher risk for colon cancer, see the ACS guidelines for screening for high risk individuals.

Lung Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society does not recommend tests to check for lung cancer in people who are at average risk. However, they do have screening guidelines for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. Screening might be right for you if you meet the following:

• 55 to 74 years of age and in fairly good health
• Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years.)

Screening is done with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest. If you fit the list above, you and a doctor should talk about whether you want to start screening.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and rates are on the rise. However, this is one cancer that in most cases can be prevented or detected early. While you may hear that you need the sun to make vitamin D, in reality you only need a few minutes a day to do this. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by natural sunlight or tanning beds, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, UV rays lead to other forms of skin damage, including wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches (sometimes called age spots or liver spots), and pre-cancerous skin changes (such as dry, scaly, rough patches). Although dark-skinned people are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do develop skin cancers, most often in areas that are not exposed to sun (on the soles of the feet, under nails, and genitals).

You can do a lot to protect yourself from damaging UV rays and to detect skin cancer early. Start by practicing sun safety, including using a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA & UVB rays) every day, avoiding peak sun times (10am-4pm, when the rays are strongest) and wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts.

Examine your skin regularly so you become familiar with any moles or birthmarks. If a mole has changed in any way, you should have a healthcare provider examine the area. This includes a change in size, shape, or color, the development of scaliness, bleeding, oozing, itchiness, or pain, or if you develop a sore that will not heal. If you have a lot of moles, it may be helpful to make note of moles using photographs or a “mole map”. The American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful guide to performing a skin exam. 

Learn more about the types of skin cancer on OncoLink and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Healthy Lifestyle

For some cancer survivors, the experience is the impetus to making healthy lifestyle changes. It may seem insignificant, but these changes have been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing. Below are some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle.

• Do not use tobacco in any form. If you do, learn more on OncoLink and talk to your healthcare provider about taking steps to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Many studies have found that excess weight plays an important role in cancer development and recurrence. While maintaining a healthy weight is important in cancer prevention, it cannot easily be separated from the importance of physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Strive to incorporate all three pieces of the puzzle: healthy weight, balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Talk to your healthcare team about what a healthy weight is for you, and take steps to reach and maintain that weight.
  • Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, 5 days a week.
  • Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. Strive to have 2/3 of your plate be vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, while 1/3 or less should be an animal product. Choose fish and chicken and limit red meat and processed meats.
  • Learn more about recommendations for diet, activity and weight in the AICR’s Guidelines for Survivors and the ACS Eat Healthy and Get Active information on their website.
  • Learn more about the benefits of physical activity from Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Have regular check-ups by a healthcare professional.
• Keep up-to-date on general health screening tests, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar) levels.
  • Learn about healthy screening tests for women and men from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).
• Get vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents a type of pneumonia, and re-vaccinated as determined by your healthcare team. Learn more about adult vaccinations from the CDC.
• Don’t forget dental and eye health!
  • The American Optometric Association recommends adults have their eyes examined every 2 years until age 60, then annually. People who wear glasses or corrective lenses or are at “high risk” for eye problems (i.e. diabetics, family history of eye disease) should be seen more frequently.
  • The American Dental Association recommends adults see their dentist at least once a year.