PREVENTING CANCER OR FIND IT EARLY

You can lower your risk of getting many common kinds of cancer by making healthy choices. Screening tests can find some cancers early when treatment works best. Vaccines (shots) can help prevent several kinds of cancer. Learn more about how to lower your risk of getting cancer.

Screening Tests

Getting screening tests regularly may find breast, cervical, and colorectal (colon) cancers early, when treatment is likely to work best. Lung cancer screening is recommended for some people who are at high risk

Vaccines (Shots)

Vaccines (shots) also help lower cancer risk. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps prevent most cervical cancers and several other kinds of cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine can help lower liver cancer risk.

Questions to ask about cancer prevention

It’s important to be sure you’re asking the right questions. Follow these tips to make sure you’re asking your doctor the important questions to help reduce your risk for cancer.

• Ask for a cancer risk assessment. Your personal history, family history, and lifestyle choices all affect your cancer risk.
• Be specific. Ask Dr. Shomo what your risk is for certain cancers. Your risk for one type of cancer may be greater than another type of cancer. Getting specific will allow you to make sure you’re getting the information you need.
• Ask about your nutrition. Dr. Shomo should be able to advise you on healthy eating choices. Did you just start a new diet or weight loss plan? Let him know that, too. It will give him a more complete picture of your health.
• Talk about exercise. Just like nutrition, you need to talk to Dr. Shomo about your exercise habits so you know you’re doing the right exercises for your body and getting in enough activity. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity, five days a week.
• Ask about cancer screening exams. While there are standard screening guidelines, they may vary, depending on family history, personal health history, inherited risk factors, and behaviors. Talk to Dr. Shomo to make sure your screening exams are up to date.
• Come prepared. If you’re visiting Dr. Shomo for the first time, bring your personal and family medical history. And know the details. If you’ve had a colon polyp, it’s important to know what kind. If you’ve had a skin biopsy, bring the results. This will give your doctor a more accurate picture of your overall cancer risk. To get more information about your medical history, call your last health care provider and ask for your records.