The Best Weapon Against Top Cancers - Regular Screenings
Regular screenings are one of the most powerful weapons against the top cancers we see in our tri-state region. Screenings truly can help prevent or find cancer early, increasing your chances of survivability. Don’t take the chance - talk to your family doctor about your risks and which of these screenings you should have and when.
Here is a list of the key screenings men and women need at certain ages. Please note these are the standard recommendations from the American Cancer Society. Based on your personal and family health history, your primary care/family medicine physician may have other recommendations - that is why it important to routinely see your physician and have this conversation.
*Please note that the above guidelines are from the American Cancer Society for those adults with average risk. Practitioners in our region may follow guidelines from different sources that are more specific to their area of practice and may have other recommendations for you based on your personal and family history.
Don’t have a dedicated personal/family physician? Find one here:
The Facts About Cancer & Screenings in Siouxland
Breast Cancer:
About 1 in 8 women born today in the U. S. will get breast cancer at some point. Breast cancer is one of the top diagnosed cancers in Iowa and one of the top cancers we treat here at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center. Per the 2004-2015 Iowa Cancer Registry, the risk of developing late stage breast cancer is higher in the Sioux City area compared to the 12-year state average.
Nearly 30% of new cancer diagnoses in Iowa women annually are projected to be breast cancer. Cancer overall is expected to grow in Iowa by 6.9% in 5 years or 11.7% in 10 years (2021 statistic).
Data shows Siouxland women are not getting mammograms. According to 2018 screening data that is part of county data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) under the CDC, the Sioux City area is the lowest metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas (MMSAs) in Iowa with women aged 40+ getting a mammogram in the past 2 years.
Perform monthly self-breast exams. According to Johns Hopkins Medical Center, “Forty percent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump.” Have a routine clinical breast exam by your medical provider and talk with them about when to start getting mammograms and how often to get them.
American Cancer Society recommends starting mammograms at age 40 - 45 and to get them annually, but those at higher risk would start earlier.
Cervical Cancer:
According to 2018 screening data that is part of county data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) under the CDC, the Sioux City area is the lowest metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas (MMSAs) in Iowa with women ages 21-65 getting a Pap test in the past 3 years.
According to the American Cancer Society, the cervical cancer death rate has dropped significantly with the increased use of the Pap test, which is the screening procedure that can find changes in the cervix before cancer develops or identifies the cancer early when it’s easier to cure. In recent years, the HPV test has been approved as another screening test for cervical cancer since almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV (human papillomavirus). This test looks for infection by high-risk types of HPV that are more likely to cause pre-cancers and cancers of the cervix.
Gynecologists recommend most women aged 21-65 years should get Pap smears (at least) every three years as part of routine preventive care.
Colorectal Cancer:
This is the second leading cancer killer and third most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women in the U.S.. Per the 2004-2015 Iowa Cancer Registry, the risk of developing colorectal cancer in the Sioux City area is higher than the 12-year state average. Colorectal cancer is one of the top cancers we treat at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center.
About 9% of new cancer diagnoses in both Iowa men and women annually are projected to be colorectal cancer. Cancer overall is expected to grow in Iowa by 6.9% in 5 years or 11.7% in 10 years (2021 statistic).
Data shows Siouxlanders are not getting their timely colonoscopies. According to 2018 screening data that is part of county data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) under the CDC, the Sioux City area is the lowest metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas (MMSAs) in Iowa with persons ages 50-75 getting a colonoscopy in the last 10 years.
Colorectal cancer is preventable and treatable if detected early. In many cases, you can stop it before it starts. It is estimated that more than half of the deaths due to colon cancer each year could have been avoided if those aged 50 and older were being screened for colon cancer.
Your primary care physician will decide when you should get your first colon cancer screening – the recommendation recently changed to being screened at age of 45 for adults with average risk. The preferred screening method is a colonoscopy, but there are other screening options available for those with average risk.
Lung Cancer:
According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 16 will develop lung cancer. The risk of developing lung cancer in the Sioux City area is higher in some zip codes than the 12-year state average per the Iowa Cancer Registry data and it is one of the top cancer diagnoses in our state.
Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in men and women in every ethnic group, even in non-smokers. Lung cancer takes the lives of more people than prostate, colon, and breast cancer combined.
About 13% of new cancer diagnoses in both Iowa men and women annually are projected to be lung cancer. Cancer overall is expected to grow in Iowa by 6.9% in 5 years or 11.7% in 10 years (2021 statistic).
While smoking/second hand smoke is one of the greatest risks to developing lung cancer, as many as 20% of people who pass away in the United States every year have never smoked or used any other form of tobacco. Additional risk factors include prolonged exposure to asbestos, radon gas, and other air pollutants.
A low-dose computed tomography (CT) lung screening is recommended for current or former smokers between the ages of 50 and 77. If you have risk factors or family history of lung cancer speak with your family doctor about this screening.
You can also take our free Lung Cancer Risk Assessment Quiz to determine your risk and see if a Low-Dose CT Lung Scan may be an important next step in your health care. This only takes a few minutes to complete and will tell you if you should talk to your family doctor. Click HERE to take.
Melanoma & Skin Cancers:
1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70. Per the American Cancer Society, melanoma is one of the top 5 cancer diagnosis in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. It is also one of the top cancers treated at our clinic. Melanoma is projected to be about 6% of the new cancer diagnoses in Iowa this year.
Having 5 or more sunburns doubles your risk for skin cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, sun damage is cumulative and about 23% of lifetime exposure occurs by age 18 and 47% between ages 19 and 40.
Sunstation USA says regular use of SPF 30 sunscreen could reduce skin cancer rates by 78%. Yet only one-third of the population currently uses sunscreen.
Limiting your sun exposure (especially middle of the day) is the first line of defense, but if you cannot do that, wearing protective clothing and using sunscreen are key. Check your skin regularly and report any changes to your doctor. The best screening is a full skin examination with a dermatologist. If detected early, the 5-year survival rate for melanoma is 99%.
Prostate Cancer:
Prostate cancer is one of the top 3 cancers diagnosed in the United States and 1 in 3 men treated for prostate cancer experience a biochemical recurrence within 10 years. According to the Iowa Cancer Registry, prostate cancer is one of the top diagnosis in this state and it is also one of the top cancers JENCC treats.
More than 25% of new cancer diagnoses in Iowa men annually are projected to be prostate cancer. Cancer overall is expected to grow in Iowa by 6.9% in 5 years or 11.7% in 10 years (2021 statistic).
There are different options for prostate screening. It’s important to discuss your options, including their possible pros and cons, with your doctor to help you choose one. Screening would start at age 50, unless your doctor determines higher risk.
Genetic Testing:
Because approximately 5-10% of cancers have been linked to an inherited gene, higher in some specific types of cancer like ovarian cancer at 20%, genetic testing may be another type of screening. Genetic testing will then help you and your physicians make medical decisions to proactively take steps to prevent or lower your cancer risk and complete appropriate screening to detect cancer early.
Genetic counseling may be advised if your personal or family history includes any of the following:
2 or more close/primary family members with the same or related forms of cancer
Cancer diagnosed younger than age 50
Bilateral or multiple primary cancers - more than one cancer type in a family member
Ovarian cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Male breast cancer
Triple-negative breast cancer
Family history of a known gene mutation, including BRCA1 and MLH1
Colon or endometrial tumors with abnormal MSI/IHC
10 or more gastrointestinal polyps
Metastatic prostate cancer
Learn more about our Cancer Center’s Genetic Counseling and Testing Service HERE.