Cancer CenterDiagnosing Cancer

Cancer screenings

Screenings can help detect cancer early, long before symptoms appear. Early detection sometimes leads to a more successful outcome, in part because the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body. Early diagnosis improves outcomes in all cancers.

The Reid Cancer Center team recommends that patients follow American Cancer Society recommendations for specific screenings. They also encourage people to be aware of early warning signs. These can include lumps, sores that fail to heal, abnormal bleeding, unusual changes in bowel habits, persistent indigestion and chronic hoarseness. If you experience any of these symptoms, be sure to discuss them with your doctor.

Screening guidelines

The American Cancer Society recommends the following screenings to help detect cancer early. Your doctor may recommend a different screening schedule depending on your personal cancer risks and health history.

Breast cancer

• Women should have a yearly mammogram starting at age 40.
• Women should perform a monthly self-breast exam starting at age 20.
• Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam about every three years and an annual clinical breast exam starting at age 40.
• Women with a family history or increased risk of breast cancer should discuss their history and risks with their doctor.

Colon and rectal cancer

Beginning at age 50, everyone should have:

• A flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years or a double contrast barium enema every five years or a CT colonoscopy every five years or a colonoscopy every 10 years.
• A yearly fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test. These tests are performed by the patient at home and can be purchased at a pharmacy. Reid Hospital offers a take-home testing kit. For information, call Oncology Support at (765) 983-3344.

Those with a personal or strong family history of colorectal cancer or polyps should be followed more closely, as should those with a history of chronic inflammatory bowel syndrome.

Cervical cancer

• Pap tests should begin within three years of a woman's first vaginal intercourse but no later than 21 years of age.
• If by the age of 30 a woman has had three normal pap test results, she may be screened every two to three years.
• Women with certain risk factors, abnormalities or concerns should be screened yearly.

Prostate cancer

Research has not yet proven that the potential benefits of prostate cancer screening outweigh the harms of testing and treatment. Men should discuss the pros and cons with their doctor, starting at age 50 (at age 40-45 for those with a higher risk of prostate cancer).

• Screening can include a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Reid Cancer Center offers free community prostate cancer screenings

For information, please contact us or talk to your primary care physician about scheduling a screening.

Upcoming screenings and events

Check out the calendar of events for all upcoming cancer related screenings and events.

Newly diagnosed

A diagnosis of cancer is scary. It can come as a shock, leaving you feeling anxious and even alone. However, you have good reasons to be optimistic. Medicine has made, and continues to make, great strides in treating cancer and in making cancer treatment more tolerable, both physically and emotionally.

By becoming informed about your diagnosis and your treatment options, you can begin to take control of the journey ahead. At Reid Cancer Center, our team is committed to providing you with the support you need. We hope you will regard our physicians, nurses and other care professionals as part of your support team.

Introduction to cancer treatment

The goal of treatment is to cure or control the cancer, as well as reduce any symptoms you may be having. The type of treatment you will receive depends on the type of cancer, the stage of your disease, the symptoms you are experiencing and your overall health.

There are many different ways to treat cancer. Your doctor and health care team will explain the choices to you. They will help you understand how your treatment may benefit you.

Treatment choices may include the following:

• Chemotherapy: The use of drugs to treat cancer.
• Radiation therapy: The use of high-energy X-rays or radioactive seeds to treat cancer.
• Surgery: The physical removal of the tumor or cancer.
• Biological therapy/immunotherapy: The use of the body's own immune system to attack cancer cells.
• Hormonal therapy: The use of hormones to stimulate a response in the body to fight cancer.
• Bone marrow or stem cell transplantation: Involves using high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy to kill the cancer, then putting healthy bone marrow or stem cells into the body. The bone marrow or stem cells can come from you (autologous) or from a matched donor (allogeneic). The transfusion or transplant is given to allow your immune system and bone marrow to recover.

• Clinical trials: Patient-oriented research studies that use new medication or a new combination of medications, along with the standard treatment and radiation therapy to treat the cancer.