Regular cancer screening exams
Cancer screenings are medical tests done when you are healthy, with no signs of illness. They help find cancer early, when the chances for successfully treating the disease are greatest. Regular cancer screening exams, based on gender and age, are recommended for breast, cervical, colorectal and prostate cancer. Learn more about when you should start and how often you should get the following tests.
Screening exams for people with symptoms or risk factors
Regular screening exams are not recommended for the cancer types below. But if you have symptoms, or you think you may be at increased risk for any of these cancers, talk to your doctor about getting tested.
Abnormal or inconclusive scan or test? 5 things to know when the doctor calls
Thousands of people will get screening exams for breast cancer, cervical cancer and lung cancer this year. Others will get diagnostic tests or scans – such as chest X-rays – for other reasons. Some will be asked to come back for additional scans or testing.
If you’re one of those people, you might have some questions. For instance, what does it mean if your Pap test is “abnormal?” Why would your mammogram be considered “inconclusive?” And what else might be causing a “shadow” to appear on a chest X-ray?
Here are five things to keep in mind, if you get a call back from the doctor’s office that your results are abnormal or inconclusive.
1. Don’t panic.
The first thing to do is remain calm. While it may be alarming to learn you need additional testing, don’t automatically assume the worst. There are many reasons your doctor might have requested it. Here are some of the most common:
- Breasts: If this is your very first mammogram, your doctor may be trying to establish a solid baseline against which all future images can be compared. Dense breast tissue can also make it difficult to identify breast cancer with a regular mammogram. So, your doctor might request a 3D mammogram or an ultrasound to see additional detail.
- Cervix: An abnormal Pap test and/or positive human papillomavirus (HPV) test could be a sign of pre-cancerous changes in your cervix. But bubble baths, vaginal dryness, and intercourse can also cause cells to look distorted or atypical. Additional testing will help your provider clarify whether the initial test results are significant or if treatment is necessary.
- Lungs: “Shadows” in the lungs can be caused by respiratory infections, such as influenza, pneumonia or COVID-19, or by the scar tissue they leave behind. One such type of radiographic finding is known as “ground glass,” because that’s how it appears on scans: as hazy areas that are hard to see through, but not entirely opaque. Additional testing can help determine if one of these infections is the culprit for something unclear on a lung scan.
“Even among patients with a heavy smoking history, the vast majority of the spots we find on screening scans are not ultimately found to be cancers,” says pulmonologist Scott Evans, M.D.
2. The odds are actually in your favor.
Screening tests are designed to detect abnormalities in tissue, such as cervical dysplasia. Their purpose is to rule out cancer as a possible cause or to find it at its earliest stages, when it’s the most treatable.
So, getting called back for additional testing does not necessarily mean that you have cancer; it just means your doctors need more information to clarify what they’ve seen through a microscope or on an image.
“Less than 1% of Pap tests result in a cancer diagnosis each year,” notes gynecologic oncologist Kathleen Schmeler, M.D. “However, women with an abnormal Pap or HPV test may have pre-cancerous cells, which can be treated to prevent progression to cancer.”
3. Next steps are mostly non-invasive.
Breasts: If you get called back after a screening mammogram, the first step is usually a diagnostic mammogram, which takes a more detailed look at your breast tissue. If additional imaging is needed, your doctor may order an ultrasound. Both of these are non-invasive procedures.
If a tissue sample is needed to make a final determination, a breast biopsy may be called for. But even then, it does not mean you have cancer.
“About 70% of women who have a breast biopsy will NOT be diagnosed with cancer,” says Marion Scoggins, M.D. “Most breast biopsies turn out to be benign.”
Cervix: If a Pap or HPV test comes back abnormal, the next step may be a colposcopy: a simple, in-office procedure that doesn’t require anesthesia. Your doctor will place acetic acid on your cervix to highlight any concerning areas, then examine them more closely with a special instrument called a colposcope.
Anything unusual will be biopsied and sent off to a lab for interpretation. Depending on the results, your doctor may wish to schedule a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), another in-office procedure in which a wire loop is heated with an electrical current and used to remove abnormal cells from the cervix, so they don’t progress to cancer.
Lungs: If a chest X-ray shows an area of concern in the lungs, most patients will have a CT scan to get a more detailed image of it. If additional testing is called for, the doctor may recommend a biopsy using a bronchoscope, surgery or a CT-guided needle to obtain tissue for examination under a microscope — but these are rarely necessary.
4. It’s OK to need support.
Most abnormal findings do not result in a cancer diagnosis. But it’s absolutely natural to experience scanxiety, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help in dealing with it.
Even if it’s only for moral support, ask a loved one (from your own household, during the pandemic) to drive or ride with you to the subsequent testing, or to sit in on the virtual doctor visits in which you’ll learn the results. Consider having them take notes, too, or even ask questions of their own if you think that might be helpful.
MD Anderson patients can also request a referral to one of our psychiatrists or social work counselors for help in managing their fears.
“Notice if your mind is jumping ahead or catastrophizing,” says psychiatrist Dr. Rachel Lynn. “If you feel your worries building, getting ‘too fast or too loud,’ try to take control back with some intentional breathing, slow and steady. You might also want to consider using one of the many relaxation apps available.”
5. Cancer caught through early detection is the most treatable.
If additional testing does lead to a cancer diagnosis, don’t despair. Screening exams are designed to give doctors the best possible chance of finding cancer early, when it’s the most treatable.
“The earlier we find cancer, the better the odds are of being able to cure it,” says Therese Bevers, M.D., medical director of MD Anderson’s Cancer Prevention Center. “That’s why we encourage people to start getting screened at the recommended ages, and then continue being screened regularly after that.”
Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or by calling 1-877-632-6789.
LGBTQ+: What to know about cancer prevention
Last updated June 9, 2022
Your risk for cancer is linked to many factors, and some people are at greater risk than others.
Certain ethnic groups and people with a family history of cancer have a higher cancer risk. So do people from sexual and gender minority groups, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.
If you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community, you can take steps to reduce your risk for cancer.
We talked to MD Anderson Training Specialist Mary-Ann Ball, who has taught thousands of MD Anderson employees about the unique cancer prevention challenges faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Here’s her advice to help you get the best cancer prevention and treatment available.
Find a doctor you trust
The most important thing is to try your best to find a doctor you can be totally honest with. This will help you in many ways. Not only will you be able to focus more closely on your health and not on the fear of being discovered.
Your doctor will also:
- be able to collect more accurate information and tailor medical care to you,
- more clearly understand the stresses in your life and get a better picture of what you need, and
- be able to help you ensure that your partner, if you have one, is included in your health care experience.
You can use the Healthcare Equality Index to help you find an inclusive health care provider. Some also display a rainbow sticker to signal a safe space, or you might see the equal rights sticker.
“Once you have established a trusting relationship, many other issues can be addressed more easily,” says Ball.
Stay on top of your routine health exams
When it comes to cancer, it’s important to find the disease early, when it’s easiest to treat. And it’s important to get the right screening exams at the right age.
Screening exams may correspond more closely with your gender at birth, even if you have been through a surgical transition. So, make sure your doctor knows the full story in order to help you get the right care.
“Each piece of information, including your gender identity and sexual orientation, and where you are with any transition, is important for your doctor to know,” says Ball.
Be aware of how hormones affect your cancer risk
Hormones play a part in the development of several types of cancer. So, if you take hormones as part of a gender transition or for another reason, this can raise your risk for cancer.
Make sure that you are open with your doctor. Be aware of your body and report any symptoms early so they can be investigated.
“For example, if you are a trans man who has not gone through surgery, and your doctor doesn’t know you were a female at birth, symptoms that could be linked to a disease like uterine cancer might get overlooked.”
Get help for tobacco, alcohol and drug use
Tobacco is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, so it’s important to get help to quit.
“Research shows that members of the LGBTQ+ community are more likely to smoke or use other forms of tobacco like e-cigarettes,” says Ball.
The best way to quit tobacco is to use medications and get counseling.
Counseling is especially important if you struggle with problems like depression and anxiety. These can become difficult to cope with if you try to quit alone.
MD Anderson has several research studies that offer smoking cessation support for Texas residents. Fill out our screening questionnaire to find a study that’s right for you, no matter what stage you’re at in your quitting journey.
It’s also important to get help for addictions to alcohol and drugs. Alcohol is linked to several cancers, including breast cancer, colorectal cancer and liver cancer.
Be aware of your body and report any symptoms early so they can be investigated.
Get the HPV vaccine
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease and is linked to anal, penile and cervical cancers, as well as cancers of the throat and tonsils and the vulva and vagina.
The virus is spread through sexual contact. Condoms don’t protect against HPV because it lives on the skin.
In almost all cases, the body clears HPV without any symptoms. In a small number of cases, the virus stays for longer and causes cell changes that can lead to cancer many years in the future.
Everyone is at risk for HPV, although research shows that gay men have a higher risk of getting it.
The HPV vaccine protects you from most types of the virus. Everyone ages 9 to 26 should get the HPV vaccine. It is most effective when given at ages 11 to 12. Unvaccinated men and women ages 27 to 45 should talk to their doctor about the benefits of the HPV vaccine.
Maintain a healthy weight
If you are overweight or obese, your risk for cancer is higher because the extra weight causes inflammation in your body. It also leads to hormonal changes that are linked to cancer.
The best way to maintain a healthy weight it is to eat a plant-based diet and exercise.
A plant-based diet includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains and also allows lean protein like chicken, fish and plant proteins. Fill two-thirds of your plate with plants and the remaining one-third with lean protein.
Aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise every week and do a strength training routine twice a week.
Find tailored help
Finally, it may be possible to find healthy living support programs specifically designed for the LGBTQ+ community. Programs that cater to your needs and background are likely to be most effective as you work to reduce your cancer risk.
“If you can find a program that is designed for you, it will be easier for you to stay connected to the vital health care support that you need,” says Ball.
Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or by calling 1-877-632-6789.
What are multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests, and should you get one?
In the ever-evolving landscape of medical technology, an innovation that could revolutionize cancer screening has emerged. Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests have captured the attention of doctors, researchers and patients due to their potential to detect a range of cancers through a simple blood test.
But are these tests reliable?
MCED tests, a type of liquid biopsy, aim to catch early-stage cancer cells long before symptoms appear. By utilizing machine-learning algorithms, these tests identify the likely origin of tumors based on DNA and protein profiles.
"MCED tests hold immense promise for revolutionizing cancer detection," says Ernest Hawk, M.D., vice president, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences. "However, patients who prioritize early adoption have to be aware of the potential consequences, and health care professionals must provide accurate information and support."
How many types of cancer do multi-cancer early detection tests cover?
Currently, there are around 20 tests in development. They offer screening for anywhere from two to over 50 tumor types in a single test. Some of the cancers the tests can detect include pancreatic, prostate, kidney, lung, breast, skin, ovarian and liver cancer.
What are the benefits of multi-cancer early detection tests?
Early diagnosis enables timely treatment, which may lead to improved survival rates and better patient outcomes.
These tests could also allow for more targeted treatments. Once a doctor has a blood sample, the laboratory uses advanced technologies and tests to study the DNA. If any abnormalities are located, they are analyzed further. Having this genomic information could allow a doctor to administer precise therapies that are potentially more effective.
Cancer can also come with a big bill. Detecting disease earlier can reduce the need for costly advance-stage treatments, benefiting health care systems and patients alike.
"The world of cancer screening is on the cusp of a transformative shift with the rise of MCED tests," says Robert Volk, Ph.D., professor, Health Services Research. "But we need to have standardized, unbiased patient decision aids in place by the time they are approved."
What are the risks of using multi-cancer early detection tests?
Eager to rule out a cancer diagnosis, patients may focus on the potential benefits of multi-cancer early detection tests while overlooking the risks and limitations.
There are concerns that early-stage tumors won’t provide much DNA. This means the tumors may have to be further along to generate enough DNA to be reliably detected by the blood test.
Mammograms, colonoscopies and other screening approaches for individual cancers are each supported by rigorous studies but MCEDs have yet to be tested in large clinical trials. While some trials are underway in the U.S. and U.K., results are years away. As we await the data, questions linger about whether the tests are effective in reducing cancer mortality and whether there’s potential for overdiagnosis.
“Any positive blood tests require a subsequent diagnostic evaluation,” explains Hawk. “Endoscopy, radiologic imaging and biopsies all take additional time, add costs and may result in additional risks from the procedures themselves.”
Both Hawk and Volk also warn of the possibility of false positives.
Imagine being told you have cancer when, in fact, you do not. This could cause immense emotional harm to patients.
“Ensuring the accuracy and reliability of these tests to minimize false positives should be a top priority to avoid undue patient stress," Volk emphasizes.
Are multi-cancer early detection tests covered by insurance?
Currently, they are not covered by insurance. Of the tests in development, the price can range between $200 and $1,000. Legislative efforts are underway to get the cost reimbursed by Medicare, once these tests are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
While none of the tests are currently approved by the FDA, some are available commercially through the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act for around $1,000.
Weigh the costs and benefits before using an MCED
Both Volk and Hawk agree that the potential to detect multiple cancer types at an early stage and the promise of personalized, targeted treatments are game-changers.
These innovative screening methods could make a life-or-death difference for millions of prospective cancer patients worldwide. However, they emphasize the need for evidence-based decision-making.
Until then, Hawk says, it’s best to weigh the risks and benefits of MCEDs before spending the money on one.
Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or by calling 1-877-632-6789.