Early Detection Can Save Lives
When it comes to cancer diagnosis and treatment, early detection improves outcomes. Screening tests are used to find cancer in people who have no symptoms. Regular screenings are an essential part of cancer prevention and provide the best chance of finding cancer early when it’s easier to treat and cure. Screenings are available for many types of cancer including breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer. You should discuss these screenings with your primary care physician, who can help determine what is right for you based on your personal and family medical history.
St. Joseph’s Health provides the most advanced screenings available to catch the disease in its earliest stage when it’s most treatable. Our sophisticated imaging tools ensure diagnostic accuracy, allowing our cancer care teams to create the most appropriate and effective treatments possible for you.
St. Joseph’s Cancer Care participates in the New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection (NJCEED) program, which provides comprehensive outreach, education and screening services for breast, cervical colorectal and prostate cancers.
NJCEED services include:
- Education
- Outreach
- Screening
- Case Management
- Tracking
- Follow-up
- Facilitation into Treatment
Services are free or at reduced cost for those who qualify. For more information, call 973-754-2705.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer can sometimes be detected by a woman who feels a lump in her breast or notices other breast changes during a self-exam. More often, though, breast cancer is detected when a mammogram or other screening test identifies an abnormality in breast tissue. There are several methods of imaging used to screen for breast cancer, including:
- Mammogram: This is an X-ray of the breasts.
- Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT): A type of mammography in which a machine takes multiple X-ray images of the breast from different angles. This allows the radiologist to view “slices” of the breast tissue for improved detection of breast cancer.
- Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to produce images of breast tissue.
- MRI: In some cases, for instance for women with dense breasts, magnetic resonance imaging scans are used to check for abnormalities in breast tissue.
According to the American College of Radiology, women should get screening mammograms every year starting at age 40. Women should discuss their breast cancer risk and their screening options with their doctor by age 30. For women who have a higher chance of developing breast cancer, screening mammograms may need to start at an earlier age and they may also need supplemental screening examinations such as breast ultrasound, contrast enhanced mammography, or breast MRI.
To schedule a mammogram, call 862-657-3000.
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is most often caused by HPV (human papillomavirus), the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Most HPV cases are harmless, but a few types can lead to cervical cancer. A pap screening test can find abnormal cells before they become cancerous. Women should talk to their doctor about when they should begin screening, how frequently they should be screened, and which screening tests are appropriate for their situation.
In addition, there is an HPV vaccine that helps protect against the infection (and, thus, cervical cancer). The FDA recommends both females and males get vaccinated up to age 26, starting as early as ages 9 to 11. Talk to your doctor for specific HPV vaccination recommendations for yourself or your child.
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer almost always develops from precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. Screening tests can find polyps before they become cancerous. Screening can also find cancer, which if detected early enough, can often be removed completely without further treatment.
General guidelines recommend that adults age 45 to 75 be screened for colorectal cancer. As there are several available screening tests, such as a colonoscopy or stool test, talk to your doctor about when to begin screening, which test is right for you, and how often to get tested.
Lung Cancer
With lung cancer, the warning signs usually don’t appear until the disease has advanced, which is why getting screened is so important for high-risk patients. While it is a leading cause of death in the United States, lung cancer can be treatable when detected early. Lung cancer screening includes a low-dose CT scan, a safe and painless imaging test in which an X-ray machine scans the entire body, using low doses of radiation to make detailed pictures of the lungs. Lung cancer screening is recommended for adults age 50 to 80 years, who have a 20 pack-year smoking history. Pack years are calculated by multiplying the average number of cigarette packs smoked per day by the number of years you smoked.
To schedule a low dose CT scan, call 862-657-3000.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, but it can often be treated successfully if found early. A blood test called a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test can help detect prostate cancer in its early stages. For men age 45 to 69 years, the decision to get a PSA test should be an individual one. All men should discuss the pros and cons of PSA testing with their doctor to determine what is right for them based on their medical history and risk level.
