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The 86th Medical Group is promoting colon cancer awareness during the month of March. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer for both men and women. Beginning at age 50, men and women should begin routine colorectal cancer screening.
Screening is important because in the early stages of colorectal cancer, there may be no symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports screening tests for colorectal cancers may actually prevent cancers from developing by treating pre-cancerous conditions.
Recommended screening tests and intervals are:
» High-sensitivity fecal occult blood test (FOBT), which checks for hidden blood in three consecutive stool samples, should be done every year.
» Flexible sigmoidoscopy, where physicians use a flexible, lighted tube (sigmoidoscope) to look at the interior walls of the rectum and part of the colon, should be done every five years.
» Colonoscopy, where physicians use a flexible, lighted tube (colonoscope) to look at the interior walls of the rectum and the entire colon, should be done every 10 years (cdcinfo@cdc.gov).
For any questions regarding colon cancer screenings, call the Disease Management Team at 06371-46-2568/2689/2022 or 479-2568/479-2689/479-2022.
Your health and wellness is very important to us. Because we believe in helping ensure you get the health screening exams you may need, we have provided guidelines for cervical and breast cancer screening.
Cervical Cancer Screening
The pap test (or pap smear) looks for pre-cancers, cell changes on the cervix that may become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately.
The majority of deaths due to cervical cancer in the U.S. are among women who are screened infrequently or not at all.
Recommended screening intervals are:
» First pap at age 21, every two years until age 30.
» Over age 30 every three years.
» Discontinue over age 65 if three or more negatives in a row and no abnormal results in past 10 years. More information can be found online at www.ACOG.org or www.cancer.org.
Breast Cancer Screening
Breast cancer can affect anybody — male and female — which is why everyone should be familiar with their body and what is normal for them.
According to the website www.womenshealth.gov, the National Cancer Institute recommends women 40 years and older should get a mammogram every one to two years. Also, women who have had breast cancer or other breast problems, or a family history of breast cancer, might need to get mammograms before the age of 40 and at a more frequent rate.
If you are a female between 40 and 69 years old, you are not currently experiencing any breast problems, and you know you have not had a mammogram in more than 12 months, you can self-refer for your mammogram by calling the Mammography Department at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center at 06371-86-8155 or 7637 or 486-8155 or 7637 to schedule an appointment.
If you are currently having any breast concerns, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider at 479-2273 or 06371-46-2273. For any questions regarding mammography or if you aren’t sure when your last exam was performed, call the Disease Management Team Ramstein at 06371-46-2568 or 479-2568.
Call 06371-46-2273 or 479-2273 (CARE) to schedule an appointment with your provider.
(Courtesy of the 86th Medical Group)
