Prevention/Early Detection

Adult Cancer Prevention

Lifestyle choices have an impact on the development of a number of types of cancer. Tobacco use continues to be the largest preventable cause of disease and premature death. Nutrition and physical activity impact the risk of developing certain cancers. A diet high in vegetables and fruits reduces the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, lung, stomach and bowel. In addition, preventing obesity through diet and exercise lowers the risk of breast, bowel, uterine and prostate cancers. Protecting the skin from the sun’s rays and avoiding tanning booths can prevent skin cancers.

American Cancer Society Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention:

1. Eat healthy foods from plant sources.
   • Eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day
   • Select whole grains rather than refined grains and sugars.
   • Limit intake of red meats and avoid high-fat or processed meats.
   • Choose foods that control weight.
2. Stay physically active.
   • Adults should participate in 30 minutes of moderate exercise five or more days a week. Increasing activity to 45 minutes of vigorous exercise on five or more days a week may reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer.
   • Children and adolescents require at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise five days a week.
3. Keep a healthy weight.
   • Balance diet and exercise.
   • Lose weight if obese.
4. Limit alcohol consumption.

Adapted from the ACS Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Facts & Figures 2004.

Cancer Screening

One way to take control of your own health is to get regular checkups and screenings. These are the screening guidelines for the early detection of cancer:

Breast

• yearly mammograms beginning at age 40
• clinical breast exam every three years for women in their 20s and 30s, and yearly for women 40 and older
• monthly breast self-exam (BSE) beginning at age 20

Colon & rectum

Beginning at age 50, one of the following exams should be done:

• yearly fecal occult blood test
• flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years
• barium enema every five years
• colonoscopy every 10 years

Prostate

Men at age 50:

• annual prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test
• digital rectal exam (DRE) yearly

Cervix

Women by age 21:

• regular Pap test yearly
• liquid-based Pap test every two years

Adapted from the ACS Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Facts & Figures 2004.

Cancer Screenings offered at RMH:

Breast Cancer Screening

To help detect breast cancer at its earliest stages, RMH offers screening mammograms at Women’s Health Focus and by mobile mammography in multiple locations throughout the community. Typically, these screenings are offered below what it costs to provide them. In some cases, funds are available for those who are not insured and who are unable to pay for this life-saving service themselves.

Prostate Cancer Screening

In partnership with the Prostate Cancer Education Council and American Cancer Society, the RMH Hahn Cancer Center conducts a free prostate cancer screening each September. Beginning at age 50, men are encouraged to have a PSA test and rectal exam each year. Men at high risk (African American, Hispanic and strong family history) should be screened beginning at age 40.

Skin Cancer Screening

Each year the RMH Hahn Cancer Center joins the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Cancer Society and local dermatologists to offer a free skin cancer screening. If caught and treated in the early stages, all types of skin cancer are treatable and in most cases, curable.