Minnesota State Volunteer Firefighters Association (MSVFA)

Additional Menu Items Below

Types of Tests to Detect Cancer

Imaging Tests
Lab Tests
Other Tests
ACS Recommendations on Early Detection of Cancer

Imaging Overview

Cancer Imaging
A visual introduction to cancer imaging, featuring information about imaging technologies and their uses, imaging trials, and recent imaging developments.

Imaging Tests

FDA Certified Mammography Facilities
A database of mammography facilities certified by the Food and Drug Administration as meeting baseline quality standards for equipment, personnel, and practices.

HHS Affirms Value of Mammography for Detecting Breast Cancer
An updated recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force that calls for screening mammography every one to two years for women ages 40 and over.

Improving Methods for Breast Cancer Detection and Diagnosis
A fact sheet that describes digital mammography, ultrasound, MRI, biopsy, and other tests used to detect and diagnose breast cancer. National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 5.14

Mammography: Questions and Answers for Patients on Being Informed Consumers
Information from the Food and Drug Administration about mammograms and the Mammography Quality Standards Act, a federal law that makes sure every mammography facility meets certain quality standards.

Misconceptions Persist Among Older Women In Spite Of Rising Mammography Rates
Although breast cancer risk increases with age, more than one-third of women ages 65 and older are not as concerned about getting breast cancer as they were when they were younger, according to a newly released national telephone survey conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) in the Spring of 1999.

NCI Statement on Mammography Screening
A recent report in the scientific literature has reawakened debate about the value of screening mammograms. The analysis, which appeared in The Lancet on October 20, 2001, reviewed the large, long-term mammography trials upon which the NCI and other groups have based their recommendations and guidelines concerning mammography screening.

Screening Mammograms: Questions and Answers
A fact sheet that defines screening mammograms and their benefits and limitations. Discusses mammogram screening guidelines and risk factors for breast cancer. National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 5.28

Get a Mammogram: Do It for Yourself, Do It for Your Family
In simple language, encourages women ages 40 and older to get a mammogram every 1 to 2 years. Written especially for women of Asian and Pacific Islander groups.

Computed Tomography (CT): Questions and Answers
A fact sheet that describes the CT scan procedure and technology and its uses in diagnosis and treatment. National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 5.2

Laboratory Tests

The Pap Test: Questions and Answers
A fact sheet that describes the Pap test procedure, possible results, and the link between HPV and cervical cancer. National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 5.16

Cervical Cancer: What You Can Do to Protect Yourself
For Hispanic/Latina women - An overview about cervical cancer and Pap test basics. Available in English and Spanish.

Pap Tests: Things to Know
For all women - Emphasizes the message that regular Pap testing can prevent cervical cancer; answers common questions about Pap tests.

Pap Tests and Cervical Health: A Healthy Habit for You
An easy to read booklet about the Pap Test.

Pap Tests for Older Women
For women over 65. Includes Medicare coverage of screening.

Bethesda 2001: A Revised System for Reporting Pap Test Results Aims to Improve Cervical Cancer Screening
A revised system for reporting the results of Pap tests, published in the April 24, 2002, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, will change the way laboratories communicate with physicians about the 50 million cervical cancer screening tests performed each year in the United States.

Cervical Cancer Screening: What Vietnamese Women Should Know
A culturally-sensitive translation of a Vietnamese-language brochure about cervical cancer screening.

Interpreting Laboratory Test Results
A fact sheet that describes the role of screening and diagnostic laboratory tests. Includes a brief discussion of factors affecting the results. National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 5.27

The Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test: Questions and Answers
A fact sheet that describes the PSA screening test for prostate cancer and explains the benefits and limitations of the test. National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 5.29

Tumor Markers: Questions and Answers
A fact sheet that defines tumor markers and describes how they can be used to aid diagnosis and treatment. National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 5.18

Other Testing Information

Cancer Genetics
NCI's gateway for information about cancer genetics.

Proteomics
A collection of material about proteomics, the study of proteins inside cells, and how such study is shedding new light on cancer.

What You Need To Know About™ Cancer Index
The What You Need To Know About™ Cancer publication series provides information on many types of cancer. Each publication includes information about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, emotional issues, and questions to ask your doctor.

ACS Recommendations on Early Detection of Cancer

Breast Cancer (Women)

Dates	Test	Age	Frequency
May 2003– Present^,*	Breast self-exam (BSE)	Over 20	Optional. Women should be told about benefits and limitations of BSE. They should report any new symptoms to their health care professional.
	Clinical breast exam (CBE)	20 – 39	Part of a periodic health exam, preferably every 3 years
	Clinical breast exam (CBE)	Over 40	Part of a periodic health exam, preferably every year
	Mammogram	Over 40	Yearly, continuing for as long as a woman is in good health

*May 2003 - May 2007: Women at increased risk (family history, genetic tendency, past breast cancer) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of starting mammography screening earlier, having additional tests (breast ultrasound, MRI), or having more frequent exams.
**May 2007 - Present: Women at high risk (greater than 20% lifetime risk) should get an MRI and a mammogram every year. Women at moderately increased risk (15% to 20% lifetime risk) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their yearly mammogram. Yearly MRI screening is not recommended for women whose lifetime risk of breast cancer is less than 15%.

Cervical Cancer (Women)

Dates	Test	Age	Frequency
2003 – Present	Pap test	Start 3 years after first vaginal intercourse but no later than 21	Yearly with conventional Pap test or every 2 years with liquid-based Pap test
		Over 30	After 3 normal results in a row, screening can be every 2 – 3 years. An alternative is a Pap test plus HPV DNA testing every 3 years.*
		Over 70	After 3 normal Pap smears in a row within the past 10 years, women may choose to stop screening**
	Pelvic exam	Not specified	Discuss with health care provider

*Doctors may suggest a woman be screened more often if she has certain risk factors, such as a history of DES exposure, HIV infection, or a weak immune system
**Women with a history of cervical cancer, DES exposure, or who have a weak immune system should continue screening as long as they are in reasonably good health

Colon and Rectum Cancer (Men & Women)

Dates	Test	Age	Frequency
March 2008 – Present	Follow one of these schedules²:
	Flexible sigmoidoscopy³	Over 50	Every 5 years
	Colonoscopy	Over 50	Every 10 years
	Double-contrast barium enema (DCBE)³	Over 50	Every 5 years
	CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy)³	Over 50	Every 5 years
	Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)**,³	Over 50	Yearly
	Fecal immunochemical test (FIT)**,³	Over 50	Yearly
	Stool DNA test³	Over 50	Interval uncertai

**For FOBT or FIT, the take-home multiple sample method should be used. A FOBT or FIT done during a digital rectal exam in the doctor's office is not adequate for screening.
***Yearly FOBT or FIT plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years is preferred over either option alone.
¹The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) was adopted as part of the ACS guidelines in 2003.
² The first 4 tests (flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, DCBE, and CT colonography) are designed to find both early cancer and polyps. The last 3 tests (FOBT, FIT, and Stool DNA test) will primarily find cancer and not polyps. The first 4 tests are preferred if they are available to you and you are willing to have one of these more invasive tests.
³If test results are positive, colonoscopy should be done.

Endometrial Cancer (Women) - see also Cervical Cancer.

Dates	Test	Age	Frequency
2001 – Present		At menopause (average risk)	Women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer and strongly encouraged to report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctor.
		At menopause (increased risk*)	Women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer and strongly encouraged to report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctor. They should also be informed about the potential benefits, risks, and limitations of early endometrial cancer detection.
	Endometrial biopsy	By age 35 (high risk***)	Should be offered yearly. Women should also be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer, and about the potential benefits, risks, and limitations of early endometrial cancer detection.

*High risk was defined as having a history of infertility, obesity, failure of ovulation, abnormal uterine bleeding, or use of estrogen therapy or tamoxifen.
**Increased risk was defined as a history of estrogen therapy or tamoxifen, late menopause, having no children, infertility or failure to ovulate, obesity, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
***High risk was defined as women with or at risk for hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) due to a known or suspected gene mutation.

Lung Cancer (Men & Women)

Dates	Test	Age	Frequency
1980 – Present	None	Not specified	No recommendation

Prostate Cancer (Men)

Dates	Test	Age	Frequency
2001 – Present	Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test	Over 50 (average risk)	Should be offered yearly (along with information on potential risks & benefits) to men with at least a 10-year life expectancy
2001 – Present		Over 45 (high risk**)	Yearly (along with information on potential risks & benefits)**

**High risk defined as African-American men or those with a strong family history of 1 or more first-degree relatives (father, brothers) diagnosed at an early age (younger than 65).
***Men at even higher risk, due to multiple first-degree relatives affected at an early age, could
begin testing at age 40. Depending on the results of this initial test, no further testing might be
needed until age 45.

Cancer-related Checkup (Men & Women)

Dates	Test	Age	Frequency
2003 – Present	Physical exam* and health counseling**	Over 20	On the occasion of a periodic health exam

*Should include examinations for cancers of the thyroid, testicles, mouth, ovaries, skin, and lymph nodes.
**Should include counseling about tobacco, sun exposure, diet and nutrition, risk factors, sexual practices, and environmental and occupational exposures.

Revised: 03/05/2008