Valmarie Ramos, MD
Submitted by VALMARIE RAMOS, M.D
National awareness months—such as October for breast cancer, September for prostate cancer, March for colorectal cancer and so on—do a wonderful job focusing the country on the importance of getting screened for certain cancers. In addition to these monthlong observances, there is one day on the calendar that offers an exceptional reminder for individuals to schedule their screening appointments. It’s a day everyone has, and no one can forget—your own birthday.
If you think about it, birthdays represent a perfect time for you to resolve to take care of your health through cancer screenings. Birthdays are personal. They offer a time to celebrate your life and reflect on your goals. And birthdays happen every year, just as many screenings should.
The older you get, the more important screenings become. Here are recommended starting ages for common screenings for individuals of average risk. Keep these milestone birthdays in mind:
- 25-39: cervical cancer; human papillomavirus (HPV) or pap test
- 40: breast cancer; mammograms or sometimes screening MRI or ultrasound
- 45: colorectal cancer; colonoscopy
- 45 (at risk populations such as African American men) or 50: prostate cancer; blood test plus digital rectal exam
- 50 (for current or past smokers): lung; low-dose CT scan
Annual screenings, or screenings at intervals recommended by your healthcare provider based on your risk factors, are important. In many instances if you have cancer, they will help to catch it as early as possible. The earlier cancer is detected, the more quickly you and your healthcare team can address it, and often, the more successful your treatment can be.
In addition to having regular screenings, you can take proactive steps to give you the “upper hand” against many cancers. These include:
- Keeping up with all of your wellness checks. Have annual physicals, OB-GYN exams (for women), prostate exams (for men), blood pressure checks and more.
- Taking care of your body. Eating well, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and other similar practices will keep your body strong and better able to handle treatment and fight cancer if you are diagnosed. Knowing and listening to your body. If something changes, feels off, is painful, looks odd or isn’t functioning properly, these are ways our bodies tell us something could be wrong, and we should see our healthcare provider. Refrain from trying to “explain away” a potential symptom as something else
- Learning your family cancer history and share it with your healthcare provider. Pay special attention to first- degree relatives (immediate family including parents, siblings or children), the age at which they were diagnosed, the age at which any relatives died of cancer and the types of cancer diagnosed. AtlantiCare’s Genetics Risk Assessment Clinic provides genetic counseling to individuals and families with hereditary concerns.
- Knowing and listening to your body. If something changes, feels off, is painful, looks odd or isn’t functioning properly, these are ways our bodies tell us something could be wrong. Refrain from trying to “explain away” a potential symptom as something else.
- Talking with and trusting your healthcare provider. Speak openly and share everything. Remember, they are here to help you.
- Finding a primary care provider if you don’t have one. They are the hub that brings all your health needs together and represent a critical “first line of awareness” when it comes to detecting and treating cancer.
Most screenings are relatively easy, painless and some take just a few minutes. Think of them as small investments for another year of being confident in your health, continuing along a path of wellness, and, possibly, saving your life. So, on your birthday this year, give yourself a present. Make your screening appointments and “check up” on yourself when it comes to taking other proactive best practices.
To learn more about cancer screening and treatment, to schedule screenings, or to find a primary care provider, visit www.atlanticare.org/screening or call 1-888-569-1000.
