Cancer Screening Guidelines for Early Cancer Detection
While there is no way to guarantee staying cancer-free for life, following doctor-approved cancer screening guidelines can help with cancer prevention and early detection. This handy guide to cancer screenings highlights the different types of tests available for the most common cancers.
With regular screenings, it is possible to catch pre-cancerous cells to prevent cancer from developing. Even if the screening finds cancerous cells in the body, early cancer detection before significant symptoms begin can help increase your survival rate.
Breast Cancer Mammograms
Fast Facts: Out of the over 2 million new cancer cases annually, the American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 320,000 of those new cases are breast cancer. This cancer predominantly affects women.
Screening Methods: As the most common method for early detection, mammograms are recommended every two years for women aged 40 to 74. Ultrasounds, MRIs, CT scans and biopsies can also be used to diagnose with a doctor’s recommendation.
Survival Rate: While the number of diagnoses increased each year leading up to 2021, the National Cancer Institute reports that breast cancer has a five-year survival rate of 91.6%.
Colon Cancer Colonoscopies
Frequency: There will be an estimated 107,000 new colon cancer cases in 2025.
Screening Methods: Adults should typically be screened for colon or colorectal cancer once they turn 45 years old. However, screening can begin earlier if a patient has a family history of colon cancer or an increased risk, such as inflammatory bowel disease. Screening methods can vary, but a colonoscopy every 10 years combined with a stool test yearly is common.
Survival Rate: Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer to result in death, and colon and rectum cancer combined have a five-year survival rate of 65.4%.
Bladder Cancer Screening
Frequency: The American Cancer Society estimates there will be nearly 85,000 new bladder cancer cases in 2025.
Screening Methods: There is no standard screening test for bladder cancer, but different tests can be used to detect it. Ask your doctor for information if you experience symptoms of bladder cancer.
Survival Rate: A five-year survival rate of 79%.
Esophageal Cancer Screening
Frequency: According to the American Cancer Society, there will be an estimated 22,000 new cases of esophageal cancer in the U.S. in 2025.
Screening Methods: Like bladder cancer, there are no set screening tests, but biopsies and other testing procedures can be used. According to the National Cancer Institute, screening tests for esophageal cancer are in clinical trials.
Survival Rate: While cancer of the esophagus is not commonly diagnosed, it has a five-year survival rate of 21.9%.
Leukemia Tests
Fast Facts: While other cancers in this guide are considered to be solid tumor cancers, leukemia is a type of blood cancer. There are multiple types of leukemia, with an estimated 66,000 new cases expected to be diagnosed in 2025.
Screening Methods: An optimal early screening method for leukemia has not yet been made the standard. Doctors can diagnose leukemia based on a physical exam, blood test or bone marrow test.
Survival Rate: A five-year survival rate of 67.8%.
Lung Cancer Screening
Fast Facts: Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the U.S. Combined with bronchus cancer, the American Cancer Society estimates there will be 226,000 new cases in 2025.
Screening Methods: Screening is based on age and smoking history. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) should be conducted annually “in adults aged 50 to 80 years who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.”
Survival Rate: Along with being one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers, lung and bronchus cancer is the most common cancer to result in death, with a five-year survival rate of 28.1%.
Prostate Cancer Screening
Fast Facts: Prostate cancer is only found in men. The American Cancer Society estimates that 313,000 men will be diagnosed with it in 2025.
Screening Methods: Men aged 55 to 69 years old can choose to undergo routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screenings for prostate cancer. This screening is recommended for all men over 70.
Survival Rate: Despite how frequently prostate cancer is diagnosed, it has a high survival rate of 97.9%.
Liver Cancer Screening
Frequency: In 2025, the American Cancer Society estimates there will be 42,000 new cases of liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer.
Screening Methods: There is no standard test, but those who are at high risk or suspect liver cancer can undergo a CT scan, ultrasound or alpha-fetoprotein tumor marker.
Survival Rate: Liver cancer has a five-year survival rate of 22%.
Cervical Cancer Pap Smears
Fast Facts: Cancer of the uterine cervix is only found in women. There will be an estimated 13,000 new cases in 2025.
Screening Methods: Screening begins early with pap smears recommended every three years for women starting at age 21 and an HPV exam every five years starting at age 25.
Survival Rate: Cervical cancer has a fair prognosis with a five-year survival rate of 68%.
Stomach Cancer Screening
Frequency: Compared to other cancers of the digestive system, stomach cancer has a lower occurrence rate, with an estimated 30,000 new cases predicted in 2025.
Screening Methods: While there is no standard screening procedure, an upper endoscopy can be used for high-risk individuals.
Survival Rate: Stomach cancer has a survival rate of 37.9%.
Pancreatic Cancer Screening
Frequency: The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 67,000 new pancreatic cancer cases in the U.S. by the end of 2025.
Screening Methods: Research has found that current detection methods do not improve the survival rate of pancreatic cancer, but according to Johns Hopkins University, a screening blood test is in development.
Survival Rate: Pancreatic cancer is the third most deadly cancer. It has the lowest survival rate out of the most commonly diagnosed cancers at 13.3%.
Help with cancer prevention in the Triangle
Cancer can occur due to genetics or lifestyle choices. Personalized Hematology-Oncology suggests these cancer screening guidelines to help reduce your risk as much as possible.
Contact us today to speak with a knowledgeable oncologist about cancer prevention methods like lifestyle changes, genetic risks and early detection options.
