COLON SCREENING RECOMMENDATIONS
Colorectal cancer screening is recommended in adults with average risk of colorectal cancer from the age of 50 through age 75. There are several options for screening, including colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy and stool-based tests such as the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT).
For those with a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, earlier initiation of screening may be recommended. Discuss with your provider.
USPreventiveServices_RecommendationStatement
OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING RECOMMENDATIONS: SHOULD YOU GET A DEXA SCAN?
Osteoporosis is a condition of decreased bone strength, with increased risk for fractures. Women become more likely to have this, or its milder version, osteopenia, after menopause. Prevention and treatment are available, and a screening Xray test (DXA or DEXA) is recommended for all women over age 65 and for women over 60 with increased risk factors.
DEXA scanning is available for all our patients, the study can be done at our Tigard clinic, located at 13200 SW Pacific Hwy. Please ask your health care professional if you would benefit from this test.
PAP RECOMMENDATIONS
The Papanicolaou Smear is a microscopic evaluation of cells from a woman’s cervix. This Cytology screening test looks for abnormalities that may suggest cancer or pre-cancer conditions. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) strongly recommends screening for cervical cancer in women who have ever had sex and have a cervix. Recommendation is that Pap screening begin at age 21 and that women be screened every 3 years up to age 30. If women age 30 and over want to increase the screening interval, HPV testing may be added to pap testing and if normal, pap and HPV testing may be done every 5 years. The USPSTF recommends against routinely screening woman older than age 65 who are not otherwise at high risk for cervical cancer.
MAMMOGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS
In November 2009, the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) made new recommendations for screening mammograms; with much discussion by the medical community, these were revised in December 2009. Their current recommendations are for routine mammogram screening to begin for women at age 50, with every 2 years mammogram up to age 74. Women should discuss with their medical care provider if Mammography would be appropriate during ages 40 – 50, if should be done yearly for ages 50 – 74, or if screening should be continued after age 75. Some medical groups agree with these recommendations (American Academy of Family Physicians), while others urge regular mammograms yearly starting at age 40, closer to the previous recommendations (American Cancer Society -ACS). Please discuss with your provider what makes sense for you.
OTHER SCREENING RECOMMENDATIONS
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
These recommendations may be reviewed; your provider and you will want to discuss what makes sense for you.
