614 S. Bloomington Street
Streator, IL 61364
Tel: (815) 673-5900

   
 
 

Cancer Prevention & Early Detection

Section Links

Although many cancers cannot be prevented, choosing a healthy lifestyle and environment can help decrease your risk of developing some types of cancer.

Tobacco Use and Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. It is difficult to detect early, but is largely a preventable disease.  Smoking is the major cause of lung cancer (87% of lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking), cancer of the voice box, oral cavity, throat and esophagus.  Although not smoking at all will provide the greatest advantage, smoking cessation also has major health benefits. Former smokers live longer than continuing smokers; stopping smoking decreases the risk of lung cancer, other cancers, heart attacks and strokes; and, people who quit smoking at younger ages (by age 35) avoid 90% of the risk due to tobacco use, although quitting at a later age can also substantially reduce the risk of early death.

Even if you do not smoke, exposure to secondhand smoke can have significant negative health effects. Health consequences of exposure to these toxins include: lung cancer, frequent respiratory infections and increased asthma attacks especially in young children. Since the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified secondhand smoke as a cancer causing agent, reducing exposure to this carcinogen will reduce your risk for developing cancer. Promoting a smoke-free workplace, public space and home are important steps that can be taken to maintain a healthier environment for you and your family.

"Spit" or "smokeless" tobacco can also cause an increased risk of cancer of the mouth and throat as well as other non-cancerous oral conditions. The nicotine addition associated with this form of tobacco use is as potent as other forms of tobacco use, making it a difficult habit to quit.

Quitting all use of tobacco products (or never starting in the first place) is one of the best ways to reduce your (and your family's) risk of developing lung, mouth and throat cancers as well as other serious illnesses.

Diet and Exercise

For the majority of Americans who do not smoke, eating a healthy diet and being physically active are the most important ways to reduce cancer risk. According to the American Cancer Society, up to one-third of the more than 500,000 cancer deaths each year are due to unhealthy diet and insufficient physical activity. Although maintaining a healthy weight is important to reduce cancer risk, substantial benefit can be gained from first stopping weight gain, and then achieving a modest amount of weight loss.

Increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables has been shown to lower the risk of cancers of the lung, mouth, esophagus, stomach and colon. Since it is not known which component of these foods (vitamins, minerals, fiber or antioxidants) are most beneficial, it has been recommended to obtain the nutrition from whole foods rather than supplements.

Five servings of richly colored fruits and vegetables daily are recommended for maximum benefit.

Limiting consumption of saturated fats may be important to reduce the risk for both cancer (especially colon and prostate) and heart disease. Choosing lean meats, low-fat dairy products and vegetable oils will be especially beneficial.

Incorporating a moderate degree of physical activity into your daily routine has the added benefit of not only reducing heart disease, but also lowering your cancer risk by controlling weight and influencing circulating hormones. Moderate exercise includes at least 30 minutes on five or more days per week for adults and 60 minutes for children.

The most important change in physical activity for most individuals is moving from being sedentary to incorporating even a moderate amount of activity into a daily routine.

Skin Cancer Prevention

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in both men and women alike. More than 1 million skin cancers (melanoma and non-melanoma) are diagnosed in the United States each year. Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. Some increased risk comes from artificial sources, such as tanning beds.

Skin cancer can be prevented, but many people learn of the dangers of increased exposure to ultraviolet rays only after cancer had been detected.

Although it is impossible to completely avoid sunlight, precautions can be taken to reduce your exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Among these preventative measures are:

  • Limiting direct sun exposure during the hours of 10 am and 4 pm as the sun is most intense during this time period;
  • When in the sun, wear clothing to protect as much skin as possible. Dark colors provide more protection than light colors, tightly woven fabric protects better than loosely woven fabric and dry fabric is generally better than wet;
  • Wear a hat with a 2-3 inch brim all around to protect the neck, ears, eyes, forehead, nose and scalp;
  • Use a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Although total protection is not possible, a higher SPF will provide a better defense against skin damage. In order to be most effective, sunscreen must be applied properly and regularly to obtain maximum benefit;
  • Wear sunglasses that block UV rays to decrease the chance of developing eye problems. Children should use smaller versions of real, protective sunglasses in place of toy sunglasses; and,
  • Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps as these can also give off harmful UV rays.

It is important to check your own skin as well as have your skin checked by your health care provider on a regular basis. Careful inspection of your skin, learning the pattern of moles, freckles, skin blemishes and other marks will allow you to detect changes more quickly. Any areas of suspicion should be thoroughly evaluated by your health care provider.

 

Early Detection

When cancer cannot be prevented, early detection of the disease provides the greatest opportunity for survival. Guidelines have been established for individuals at average risk for cancer who do not have specific symptoms. People who are at an increased risk for certain cancers may need to follow a different screening schedule, including starting at an earlier age or being screened more frequently. If symptoms that could be related to cancer are detected, individuals should see their doctor or health care provider immediately.

Cancer

Recommendations

Breast

  • Yearly mammograms starting at age 40 (continuing for as long as a woman is in good health)
  • Yearly clinical breast examination (CBE) by a health care provider for women 40 and older (approximately every 3 years for women in their 20's and 30's)
  • Breast self-exam (BSE) for all women starting in their 20's. Any breast change should be reported to their health care provider promptly.

* Women at increased risk (e.g., family history, genetic tendency, past breast cancer) should discuss the frequency and type of screening exams most appropriate for their situation. This may include starting mammography screening earlier than age 40, having additional tests (e.g., breast ultrasound or MRI) or more frequent breast examinations.

Prostate

  • Beginning at age 50, both the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examination (DRE) should be performed yearly to men who have at least a 10-year life expectancy.

*High risk men should begin yearly testing at age 45. This includes: African-American men and men who have had a father and/or brothers diagnosed at an early age.

Colon and Rectal

Beginning at age 50, both men and women should follow a regular testing schedule. Some testing options include:

  • Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT—performed on 3 successive stool specimens while the individual adheres to a prescribed diet) OR fecal immunochemical test (FIT)  PLUS flexible sigmoidoscopy (flexible tube inserted into the anus allowing the physician to view the lower one-third of the colon) every 5 years.
  • Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years
  • Colonoscopy every 10 years
  • Virtual colonoscopy (examines the entire colon and rectal passages by a CT scan of the abdomen that allows the radiologist to create computer images similar to those seen by a standard colonoscopy. Although this test is able to visualize the colon, polyps cannot be removed or biopsied using this technique.)

ALL positive tests should be followed up with a standard colonoscopy.
* Individuals at increased risk should undergo earlier and/or more frequent
  colorectal cancer screening.  These include those with:

  • Personal or family history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps
  • Personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease
  • Family history of hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome (familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC))

Cervical

  • All women should begin approximately 3 years after they begin having vaginal intercourse, but no later than when they are 21 years old. Screening may be conducted yearly with the regular PAP test or every 2 years using the newer liquid-based PAP test.
  • Beginning at age 30, women who have had 3 normal PAP test results in a row may be screened every 2 to 3 years although women with certain risk factors (diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure before birth, HIV infection or a weakened immune system) should be screened once a year.
  • Women 70 years of age or older who have had 3 or more normal PAP tests in a row and no abnormal PAP test results in the last 10 years may choose to stop having this screening. Women with a history of cervical cancer, DES exposure before birth, HIV infection or a weakened immune system should continue with yearly screening as long as they are in good health.

*Women who have had a total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix) may choose to stop having cervical cancer screening unless surgery was done as a treatment for cervical cancer or pre-cancer. Women who have had a hysterectomy without removal of the cervix should continue to follow the guidelines above.

Endometrial (Uterine)

Women are strongly urged to report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their health care provider. For women with or at high risk for hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) annual screening should be offered for endometrial cancer with endometrial biopsy beginning at age 35.

Skin

Skin cancer can be detected early by regular skin checks. Particular attention should be paid to new marks or moles on the skin and any changes that have taken place in these areas. The American Cancer Society guidelines can help distinguish a normal mole from a potential melanoma.
This "ABCD rule" is as follows:

  • Asymmetry: the two halves of a mole do not match
  • Border Irregularity: the edges of the mole are uneven
  • Color: differing shades of red, brown or black within a mole. Sometimes patches of white, blue or red may also appear. Changes in the color of a mole are also cause for further evaluation
  • Diameter: the mole is larger than one-quarter of an inch in width

*Your skin should be examined by a doctor or health care provider at least every three years for individuals between the ages of 20 and 40 and once each year for individuals over the age of 40. More frequent examinations should take place if you have a history of skin cancer or melanoma or if changes in existing moles are seen.

Family History

Knowledge of your family history, especially cancer diagnoses, is important to determine your risk for the development of certain types of cancer. Breast, ovarian, colon and endometrial cancers, along with other less common cancers, are known to have a hereditary component in some circumstances.

Take the time to learn your family's health history and talk to your health care provider if you are concerned about a possible hereditary risk of cancer.

 

[back to top]