Cancer Screenings

Service Description

The 2nd leading cause of death in the United States is cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women; prostate cancer is the most prevalent among men. Of all the cancers, lung cancer causes the most deaths. At IWC Primary Care, our goal is to screen for cancer and focus on prevention. If cancer is suspected, we provider appropriate referrals to medical specialists. WHEN SHOULD I BE SCREENED FOR CANCER? Women should be screened for the following types of cancer: • Cervical cancer starting at age 21 • Breast cancer starting at age 40 (estimated) • Colon cancer starting at age 50 (estimated) Men should be screened for the types of following cancers: • Prostate cancer starting at age 40 (if at increased risk) • Colon cancer starting at age 50 (estimated) Based on overall risk factors, our providers may screen sooner than these estimated ages. In addition, other types of cancers may warrant screening after a thorough examination and discussion of risks, such as lung cancer screening for smokers. WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR DEVELOPING CANCER? • Smoking • UV radiation (tanning beds) • Obesity • Toxins (alcohol, environmental, food) • Infectious diseases, such as the human papilloma virus (HPV) Schedule an appointment to speak with our knowledgeable practitioners to discuss risk factors and conduct age appropriate cancer screening.