Let's Talk Women's Health

 

Cancer Screenings For Women

Cancer is a health problem that can often be cured or managed when it is found early. Here are guidelines to check for some common cancers that affect women. Screening is checking for a disease when there are no signs. All adults should have a cancer related check-up every 3 years between the ages of 20 to 39 and every year starting at 40.

These guidelines are for people who are at normal risk. Some women have a higher risk for a certain kinds of cancer. Higher risk may be due to family history, lifestyle or other factors. Each woman should talk with her doctor about her risk factors.

You can change some of your risk factors. For example, if you quit smoking you can change your risk for cancers of the lung, mouth, larynx (voice box), bladder and kidney. You cannot change other factors, like your genes. In some cases you may be referred to see a Genetic Counsellor for an evaluation.

Here are common types of cancers that affect women and some reasons that may cause a person to have a higher risk. Use this as a guide to talk to your doctor about your own health and screening needs. Note, we use the term doctor, but you may be seen by another type of health care professional for your screening.

Breast

Risk Factors                                  

·       Being female

·       Age (being older)

·       Family or personal history of breast or ovarian cancer

·       Having no children, or first child after age 30

·       Period (menstruation) started before age 12 or stopped after age 55

·       History of abnormal breast changes or dense breast tissue

·       Being inactive and/or overweight after menopause

·       Drinking 1 or more alcoholic beverages a day

·       Estrogen therapy – long term oral contraceptives (birth control pills) or hormone therapy after menopause

Screening

·       Between the ages of 20 to 40 a woman should:

·       Be familiar with how your breasts normally feel and report any changes right away. Talk to your doctor about how to do a monthly breast self exam (BSE).

·       Women in their 20s and 30s should have a breast exam by their doctor at least every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam done by a doctor every year.

·       Age 40 and over a woman should:

·       Report any changes you notice in your breasts.

·       Have your doctor examine your the breasts every year.

·       Have a mammogram every year.

 

Cervical

Risk Factors                                   

·       A human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common risk factor. HPV is passed from person to person by sexual contact. You are at risk if you have sexual contact, especially at a young age (before 17) and/or a high number of sexual partners; or partners who had sex with many others

·       Eating a diet low in fruits and vegetables

·       Mother took DES (diethylstilbestrol) while pregnant

·       Family history of cervical cancer

·       Smoking

·       Being overweight

·       Estrogen therapy – long term oral contraceptives (birth control pills)

·       Chlamydia infection

·       Multiple pregnancies

Screening

You should begin having Pap tests after becoming sexual active (vaginal intercourse). All women should have a Pap test by age 21. There are 2 kinds of Pap tests – one is done yearly; one is done every two years.

At age 30, if you have 3 normal Pap tests in a row, your doctor may suggest that you be screened every 2 to 3 years. You may need a Pap test more often due to your health history (if you had abnormal Pap tests, STD’s, genital warts or a weakened immune system).

A woman over age 70 may choose to stop having cervical cancer screening after at least 3 normal Pap tests in a row and no abnormal tests in 10 years.

Screening after a total hysterectomy if cervix is removed is usually not needed except if the surgery was done due to cancer or pre-cancer.

Talk to your doctor before you stop getting Pap tests.

 

Colon or Rectal

Risk Factors                                 

·       Over 50 years old

·       Being inactive and/or overweight

·       Diet high in red/processed meat

·       Diet low in fruits and vegetables

·       Smoking

·       Heavy alcohol use

·       Family history of colorectal cancer syndrome or adenomatus polyps

·       Type 2 diabetes

·       History of colon or rectal cancer, colorectal polyps, or chronic inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s Disease)

Screening

·       Starting at age 50, the following tests may be ordered by your doctor. Talk to your doctor about which test is best for you.

·       Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT) using the multiple sample method

·       Flexible sigmoidoscopy

·       Colonoscopy every 10 years

·       Double contrast barium enema exam every 5 years

·       CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Endometrial (Lining of the Uterus or Womb)

Risk                                                

·       Being overweight

·       Eating foods high in animal fats

·       Family history of endometrial cancer

·       Personal history of breast or ovarian cancer

·       Having infertility or never had a baby

·       Period (menstruation) began before age 12 and stopped after age 50

·       Having taken Tamoxifen or long term estrogen replacement therapy without progesterone (if you still have a uterus)

·       Personal or family history of a genetic colon cancer syndrome

Screening

At present there are no screening tests that are reliable to detect most endometrial cancers in a woman who has no symptoms.

Report abnormal spotting, bleeding or pelvic pain to your doctor or gynecology professional.

For women at high risk of Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colon Cancer annual screening with endometrial biopsy may be offered beginning at age 35.

 

Lung

Risk Factors                                 

·       Smoking

·       Exposure to second hand smoke

·       Family or personal history of lung cancer

·       Exposure to cancer-causing agents in the workplace or the environment (asbestos, fibers, radon, some chemicals, uranium, arsenic, vinyl chloride, diesel exhaust)

Prevention

The best way to prevent lung cancer is to stop smoking or never start. At this time there is no good way to check for lung cancer. Routine screening is not recommended. Clinical trials are searching for ways to check for lung cancer.

Smoking causes over 85% of lung cancers.

 

Skin

Risk Factors                                              

·       Ultraviolet light exposure (sunlight)

·       Fair skin (light coloured skin)

·       Family history of melanoma

·       Severe sunburns before age 18

·       Use of tanning beds

·       Smoking

·       Some workplace exposures (coal tar, pitch, creosote, arsenic or radium)

·       Screening

·       Look for changes every month with your skin, freckles or moles.

·       Skin exam during a regular health check-up

 

To lower your risk for cancer, heart (cardiovascular) disease and diabetes aim at these goals:

•    Get to a healthy weight and maintain it.

•    Be active - exercise at least 30 minutes 5 or more days a week

•    Eat at least 5 servings of vegetables and fruits every day.

•    Do not smoke or use tobacco.

•    Limit your alcoholic beverages to 1 drink per day for women and 2 per day for men.

This information is for general educational uses only. It may not apply to you and your personal medical needs. This information should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation with or the advice of your physician or health care professional.

Communicate promptly with your physician or other health care professional with any health-related questions or concerns.

Be sure to follow specific instructions given to you by your physician or health care professional.