Screen for Cancer Today. Protect Tomorrow.

From mammograms and colonoscopies to low-dose CT scans, McLeod Health offers a full range of cancer screenings designed to detect cancer early — when it’s most treatable. Take charge of your health today to protect your tomorrow.

Below are the cancer screenings available at McLeod Health, along with guidance on when each is recommended.

BREAST CANCER SCREENING

Although breast cancer screening cannot prevent breast cancer, it can help find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat.

Mammogram

A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. It is the best way to find breast cancer early before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms. Having regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer.

Screening Recommendations:

• The American College of Radiology states that women at average risk for breast cancer should receive annual mammography screening starting at age 40.
• For women at higher risk of breast cancer, most medical organizations generally recommend starting annual mammograms at age 30 and annual breast MRIs between ages 25–35, depending on individual risk factors.

To schedule a mammogram at a McLeod hospital, Click Here, or call (843) 777-2095 and choose option 1.

CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING

The screening tests for cervical cancer can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early.

• The HPV test looks for the virus (human papillomavirus) that can cause cell changes on the cervix.
• The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancers, cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately.

Both tests can be done in a provider office or clinic. During these tests, the doctor will examine the vagina and the cervix, and collect a few cells to send to a laboratory.

If you are getting a Pap test, the cells will be checked to see if they look normal.

If the cervical cells look abnormal but are not yet cancerous, it is called cervical precancer. These abnormal cells may be the first sign of cancer that develops years later. Cervical precancer usually doesn’t cause pain or other symptoms.

If you are getting an HPV test, the cells will be tested for HPV.

Screening Recommendations:

• 21 to 29 years old
  • Start getting Pap tests at age 21. If your Pap test result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap test.
• 30 to 65 years old – Talk to your doctor about which testing option is right for you:
  • An HPV test only. This is called primary HPV testing. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening test.
  • An HPV test along with a Pap test. This is called co-testing. If both of your results are normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening test.
  • A Pap test only. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap test.
• Older than 65  – Your doctor may tell you that you don’t need to be screened anymore if:
  • You have had at least three Pap tests or two HPV tests in the past 10 years, and the test results were normal or negative, and
  • You have not had cervical precancer in the past, or
  • You have had your cervix removed as part of a total hysterectomy for non-cancerous conditions, like fibroid tumors

  You can schedule these tests with your Primary Care Provider or OB/GYN. Click here to find a provider.

  COLON CANCER SCREENING

  Colorectal cancer almost always develops from precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. Screening tests can find precancerous polyps, so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best.

  Screening Recommendations:

  The US Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force) recommends that: Adults age 45 to 75 be screened for colorectal cancer. The decision to be screened between ages 76 and 85 should be made on an individual basis. If you are older than 75, talk to your doctor about screening. People at an increased risk of getting colorectal cancer should talk to their doctor about when to begin screening, which test is right for them, and how often to get tested.

  Most people should begin screening for colorectal cancer soon after turning 45, then continue getting screened at regular intervals. However, you may need to be tested earlier than 45, or more often than other people, if you have:

  • Inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
  • A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps.
  • A genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome).

  If you think you are at increased risk for colorectal cancer, speak with your doctor about:

  • When to begin screening.
  • Which test is right for you.
  • How often to get tested.

  You can schedule these tests with your Primary Care Provider. Click here to find a provider.

  LUNG CANCER SCREENING

  The only recommended screening test for lung cancer is low-dose computed tomography (also called a low-dose CT scan, or LDCT). During an LDCT scan, you lie on a table and an x-ray machine uses a low dose (amount) of radiation to make detailed images of your lungs. The scan only takes a few minutes and is not painful.

  Who Should Be Screened: The US Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force) recommends yearly lung cancer screening with LDCT for people who:

  • Have a 20 pack-year or more smoking history, and
  • Smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years, and
  • Are between 50 and 80 years old.

  A pack-year is smoking an average of one pack of cigarettes per day for one year. For example, a person could have a 20 pack-year history by smoking one pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years.

  There are specific requirements to qualify for the lung cancer screening, click here to learn more.

  PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING

  The American Cancer Society recommends that men have a chance to make an informed decision with their health care provider about whether to be screened for prostate cancer. The discussion about screening should take place at:

  • Age 50 for men who are at average risk of prostate cancer and are expected to live at least 10 more years
  • Age 45 for men at high risk of developing prostate cancer. This includes African American men and men who have a first-degree relative (father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65).
  • Age 40 for men at even higher risk (those with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age)

  After this discussion, men who want to be screened should get the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. A rectal exam may also be done as a part of screening.

  You can schedule these tests with your Primary Care Provider or Urologist. Click here to find a provider.