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Prevention and Screenings

At Summa Health, we strive to catch cancer early, when it’s easier to treat and cure.

Get the cancer screening test that may save your life. Cancer screenings such as mammograms and colonoscopies can detect cancer before symptoms appear. For many types of cancer, an earlier diagnosis improves the chance of successful treatment.

Summa provides comprehensive cancer screening programs for many types of cancer. Contact us to schedule your screening today.

Types of Cancer Screenings

Breast Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

Lung Cancer

Cervical Cancer

Prostate Cancer

Cancer screening guidelines continue to change but are usually based on your age and personal risk factors. Find out which screening is right for you by exploring the grid below.

View our cancer screening and prevention guidelines to learn about all of the valuable screenings you and your family should consider for better health.

Lung Cancer Risk Assessment

Lung cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer death among both males and females. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast and prostate cancers combined. Take the lung cancer risk assessment quiz to see if you are at risk. 

Cancer Screening and Prevention Guidelines

Breast Health

Age 25-45

Screening Recommendations
Guidelines
Frequency
Clinical Breast Exam
Every 3 years performed by a primary care provider or gynecologist. At physician's discretion. Individuals should report any changes in their breasts to their healthcare provider.
3 yrs
Screening Mammogram
At physician's discretion for females with higher than average risk and age less than 40.
Discuss
Breast Cancer Risk Assessment
Black females and females of Ashkenazi Jewish descent should complete a breast cancer risk assessment at age 25.
Discuss

Age 45-74

Screening Recommendations
Guidelines
Frequency
Clinical Breast Exam
Annually performed by a primary care provider or gynecologist.
Annually
Screening Mammogram
At age 40, discuss with your healthcare provider the timing of having a baseline screening mammogram. Starting at age 45, screening should be annually for females at average risk. Screening should continue as long as you are in good health and expected to live 10 years or longer.
Annually
Screening Breast MRI
Females with lifetime risk greater than or equal 20%, category C/D breast density, family history of breast cancer, prior mantle radiation, or prior breast biopsy with atypia should consider a screening breast MRI.
Annually
Breast Cancer Risk Assessment
Complete a breast cancer risk assessment. This may be done at your annual breast screening.
Discuss

Age 75 and older

Screening Recommendations
Guidelines
Frequency
Clinical Breast Exam
Annually performed by a primary care provider or gynecologist.
Annually
Screening Mammogram or Screening Breast MRI
Discuss with your healthcare provider.
Annually

Colorectal Health

Beginning at Age 40 or Earlier

Screening Recommendations
Guidelines
Frequency
Colorectal Screening (see options below)
If you have a first-degree family history, talk to your healthcare provider about screening.
Consult with your healthcare provider

Age 45-75

Screening Recommendations
Guidelines
Frequency
Colorectal Screening (see options below)
Individuals at average risk with no symptoms or family history should start regular screening. Consult with your healthcare provider regarding the best screening option for you.
Varies depending on screening test and risk. Consult with your healthcare provider.

Age 76 and older

Screening Recommendations
Guidelines
Frequency
Colorectal Screening
Talk to your healthcare provider.

Colorectal Screening Test Options

Screening Recommendations
Guidelines
Frequency
High sensitivity gFOBT*
Every year for average risk individuals.
Every year
Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)*
Every year for average risk individuals.
Every year
Stool DNA / FIT (e.g. Cologuard®)*
Every 1-3 years for average risk individuals.
3 years
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy*
Every 5 years for average risk individuals.
5 years
Colonoscopy
Every 10 years for average risk individuals.
10 years

Lung Health

Age 50-80 Current and Prior Smokers

Screening Recommendations
Guidelines
Frequency
CT Lung Screen (Low Dose)
The USPSTF guidelines, which recommends screening for individuals who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years and have the equivalent of at least 20 pack years smoking history. Asymptomatic individuals. Review importance of smoking cessation and the benefits and risks of LDCT, during a visit for counseling and shared decision making.
Annually

Cervical Health

Note: Females who have had their uterus removed (and also the cervix) for reasons not related to cervical cancer and who have no history of cervical cancer or serious pre-cancer should not be tested.

Age 21-29

Screening Recommendations
Guidelines
Frequency
Pap Smear
Every 3 years, screening with cytology (Papanicolaou smear - Pap smear).
3 years

Age 30-65

Screening Recommendations
Guidelines
Frequency
Pap Smear OR Pap Smear with HPV Testing
Every 3 years, screening with cytology (Papanicolaou smear, Pap smear) alone. OR Screening with cytology (Pap smear) and HPV testing every 5 years.
3 OR 5 yrs

Age 65 and older

Screening Recommendations
Guidelines
Frequency
Pap Smear OR Pap Smear with HPV Testing
Females over 65 who have had adequate negative testing within the past 10 years AND no history of high-grade dysplasia within the past 20 years can stop cervical screening. Please discuss with your healthcare provider.
Discuss

Prostate Health

Age 40-54

Screening Recommendations
Guidelines
Frequency
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Screening
AUA and AAFP recommend PSA screening should be considered for those at high risk. High risk includes males with first degree family history (father, son, brother) of prostate cancer, of African-American heritage or experiencing symptoms.
Discuss

Age 55-69

Screening Recommendations
Guidelines
Frequency
Discuss Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Screening
Recommends shared decision making visit, especially those at high risk. High risk includes males with first degree family history (father, son, brother) of prostate cancer, of African-American heritage or experiencing symptoms. PSA Screening every year or every two years.
Discuss

Age 70 and older

Screening Recommendations
Guidelines
Frequency
PSA Screening
Not recommended screening for those with life expectancy less than 10-15 years.
Not recommended
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