Breast Cancer
What is breast cancer?
Are there symptoms?
Cancer is when cell growth goes wrong. Abnormal cells grow and invade healthy cells in the body, and old or damaged cells don’t die when they should. These cells build up to form a mass of tissue called a tumor.
Tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign means non-cancerous; malignant means cancerous. Breast cancer is when malignant tumors grow in the breast. These cells may break away and spread throughout the rest of the body. This is called metastasis.
There are many signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Having one or more of these symptoms does not mean that you have breast cancer. If you notice changes in how your breasts or nipples look or feel, or if you find a lump, call your doctor. If you don’t have a doctor, we can help you find one. Call us at 866-833-5717. You can also look online at coaccess.com.
Getting a clinical exam from your doctor at your yearly checkup may help find breast cancer early. This can help with treatment. You should also talk to your doctor about your family history and personal history. Your doctor will help determine what is best for you.
What is a mammogram?
A mammogram is an x-ray picture that can be used to check for breast cancer in women who may or may not have signs or symptoms.
Who should get a mammogram?
How is a mammogram done?
During a mammogram, an X-ray technician will place your breasts, one at a time, on an X-ray machine. The machine will flatten your breasts to make it easier to get a clear picture. You will feel some pressure for a few seconds. A mammogram may take up to 20 minutes
Should I be concerned about the radiation from a mammogram?
How do I prepare for a mammogram?
No, the amount of radiation during a mammogram is very small.
You should check with the mammogram facility for information about how to prepare.
Some helpful tips:
Schedule your mammogram when your breasts aren’t tender or swollen. If you have menstrual periods, the week before is the best time. This will help you get better pictures and means that your mammogram will be more comfortable.
If you have breast implants, let the facility know when you make your appointment.
Wear a skirt or pants, rather than a dress. Then you will only have to undress from the waist up.
Don’t wear deodorant or perfume to your mammogram. They may skew the results of your mammogram.
Click here for more tips.
What happens if my doctor finds something from the mammogram?
There are many reasons something might show up on a mammogram. The best thing you can do is follow up with your doctor to talk about your results. Your doctor can help you understand the results.
Be sure to talk to your doctor about what is best for you.
Be sure to talk to your doctor about what is best for you. If you need help finding a doctor, call us at 855-469-7226 (toll free).
Colorectal Cancer
What is colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. It may also be called colon cancer or rectal cancer. The name is based on where it starts. Your colon and rectum make up your large intestine (large bowel). This is part of your digestive system. It is also called the gastrointestinal (GI) system.
Colorectal cancer can affect men and women of all ethnic and racial groups. It is most often found in people 50 years old or older. It is the second top cancer killer of cancers that affect both men and women.
Risk Factors
Your risk of colorectal cancer gets higher as you get older. About 90% of cases are in people 50 years old and older. Lifestyle choices that can also raise your risk of colorectal cancer:
Lack of routine physical activity.
A diet high in processed meats.
Low fruit and vegetable intake.
A low-fiber, high-fat diet.
Other risk factors are having:
An inflammatory bowel disease. This means Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps.
Certain genetic syndromes. This means things like:
Symptoms
Many people with colorectal cancer have no symptoms in early stages. When symptoms do appear, they may differ. Symptoms often depend on the cancer’s size and location. Some symptoms are:
Lasting changes in your bowel habits. This means things like diarrhea or constipation. It also means a change in the firmness of your stool (feces).
Rectal bleeding. Or blood in your stool.
Abdominal discomfort that lasts. This means things like cramps, gas, or pain.
Feeling like your bowel doesn’t empty fully.
Weakness or fatigue.
Weight loss with no reason for it.
If you notice that you have any lasting symptoms, talk to your doctor.
Screening and Testing for Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the third top cause of cancer-linked deaths in men and women in the U.S. It’s also the second most common cause of cancer deaths for men and women around the world. Routine screening can help prevent and find colorectal cancer early.
If you have an average risk of getting colon cancer, it’s recommended that you start routine screening at age 45. If you’re in good health, it’s recommended that you do routine screening through age 75. If you are 76 to 85 years old, ask your doctor if you should get screened.
If you don’t have a doctor, we can help you find one. Call us at 866-833-5717. Or find one online at coaccess.com. There is a link to our directory on the homepage of our website.
Screening can help your doctor find precancerous polyps. These can be removed before they turn into cancer. Polyps are growths in your colon or rectum that are not normal.
Screening can also help your doctor find colorectal cancer at an early stage when it can be more easily treated. About nine out of every 10 people whose colorectal cancers were found early and were treated appropriately are still alive five years later.
Take control of your health by knowing your screening and testing choices.
Understanding Your Personal Risk
Risk factors are things that raise your chances of getting a disease, like colorectal cancer. Some risk factors can be changed. This means things like lifestyle choices. Others can’t be changed. This means things like your age, sex, and race.
Age: Your risk of colorectal cancer goes up as you get older. It’s much more common to get it after age 50. Rates are going up in people younger than 50, but it’s not clear why.
Sex: Colorectal cancer affects men more than women. Overall, your lifetime risk of colorectal cancer is about 1 in 23 if you’re a man and 1 in 25 if you’re a woman.
Race: Some ethnic and racial groups have a higher risk.
Blacks are about 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer. They are also about 40% more likely to die from it than most other groups.
Ashkenazi Jews (Jews of Eastern European descent) have the highest colorectal cancer risk of any ethnic group in the world.
Read more here about cancer cases and deaths across the U.S. and in Colorado.
Cervical Cancer
What is cervical cancer?
The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus (womb). The cervix connects the body of the uterus to the vagina (birth canal).
Cancer is when cell growth goes wrong. Abnormal cells grow and invade healthy cells in the body, and old or damaged cells don’t die when they should. Cervical cancer is when cells in the cervix grow abnormally or uncontrollably.
Are there symptoms?
Usually, there are no symptoms in early stages of cervical cancer. Symptoms often don’t begin until the cancer has grown into nearby tissue. Things like abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, pelvic pain, or swelling of the legs may happen at this stage.
These signs and symptoms may be caused by other conditions. But it’s still important to see a doctor right away if you have any of the above symptoms. Regular tests and screenings are the best way to find cervical cancer early.
You should talk to your doctor about your family and personal history. Your doctor will help determine what is best for you.
How is cervical cancer screening done?
Cervical cancer screening is simple and fast. Your doctor will use a special tool called a speculum to open your vagina. For a Pap test, they will take a small number of cells from the cervix with a brush or other tool. The cells are put into a liquid and sent to a lab for testing. For an HPV test, sometimes your doctor will use the same sample that was taken for the Pap test. Sometimes, two cell samples are taken.
What is a Pap test?
A Pap test collects cells from the cervix. The cells are checked for cancer and pre-cancer in a lab. Pap tests are also called Pap smears. Click here for more information.
Who needs a Pap test?
When is the best time to get a Pap test?
Pap tests are generally recommended every three years for women ages 21 to 65. Women age 30 and older may be able to get tested every five years if they are also being tested for HPV. But every person is different, so talk to your doctor about the best plan for you.
To help make your Pap test as accurate as possible, try to schedule your appointment at least five days after your menstrual period stops. Don’t douche or have vaginal sex for two to three days before your Pap test. Click here for more tips on how to make your Pap test as accurate as possible.
What is Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)?
HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection. There are many types of HPV. HPV usually goes away on its own and doesn’t cause health problems. But when HPV doesn’t go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancers.
How can I protect myself against HPV?
Get the HPV vaccine. It can help protect you against diseases, including cancers, that HPV may cause. All preteen boys and girls should get the HPV vaccine starting at age 11 or 12. Multiple doses are needed for the vaccine to be effective. Click here for more information.