Cancer screenings: A great step toward cancer prevention.

Breast cancer screening

A woman’s lifetime risk (to age 85) of developing breast cancer is 1 in 8. No matter your age, medical history or diagnosis, Cleveland Clinic offers personalized breast care from screening to treatment.

“The effectiveness of any screening program depends on frequency, compliance with screening recommendations and the quality of the screening test,” says Erica Peters, MD, a general surgeon with a specialty interest in breast surgery, who treats patients at Cleveland Clinic Avon Hospital and Richard E. Jacobs Health Center at Richard E. Jacobs Campus in Avon, and Strongsville Family Health and Surgery Center. “The recommendations for screenings — breast self-exams, physical exams by providers and mammograms — have changed somewhat over the years, so it’s a good idea to talk with your provider about what is best for you.”

Screening recommendations can vary based on personal and family medical history. For those of average risk, current recommendations include:

• Monthly breast self-examination starting at age 20.
• Annual breast physical examination by a healthcare provider starting at age 40.
• Annual screening mammogram starting at age 40 for most women (depending on personal risk level or family history, some women may need to begin screening earlier). In some cases, frequency may be reduced to every two years if determined appropriate by both patient and physician.

Lung cancer screening

“Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.,” says Sudhir Dudekonda, MD, a pulmonary medicine specialist who treats patients at Cleveland Clinic Richard E. Jacobs Health Center at Richard E. Jacobs Campus in Avon. “Fortunately, early detection through screening can improve outcomes for lung cancer patients.”

According to the American Cancer Society, 85% to 90% of lung cancer patients have had direct or indirect exposure to tobacco products.

“Unless you are screened early, lung cancer isn’t typically diagnosed until advanced stages when it causes symptoms like shortness of breath, cough, bloody phlegm, weight loss and chest pains,” says Dr. Dudekonda. “But early detection is key when it comes to lung cancer. When the disease is found early, 80% or more cases can be cured with radiation or surgery.”