Cancer Prevention & Screening

It is important you see your primary care provider regularly. Your primary care provider will help you prevent and detect cancer by reminding you to complete recommended screenings based on your age or any risk factors.

We offer screenings for various forms of cancer including:

• Mammogram

To prevent and detect breast cancer early, women who are 40 should get a mammogram, and schedule this screening every year. Some women may need a mammogram at an earlier age based on family history or other risk factors.

• Colonoscopy

This is an exam to detect changes or abnormalities in the large intestine (colon) and rectum. People with an average risk of colon cancer usually are screened at age 50. However, people with an increased risk, such as family history of colon cancer, should consider getting screened sooner.

• Lung screening

This test is used to detect lung cancer at an early stage — when it's more likely to be cured. The goal of lung screening is to look for signs of lung cancer in otherwise healthy people.

• Pap smear (or pap test)

This is a procedure to detect cervical cancer in women. It involves collecting cells from the cervix — the lower, narrow end of your uterus at the top of the vagina.

• Biopsy or transvaginal ultrasound

These are the main tests for diagnosing endometrial (uterine) cancer.

• Digital rectal exam

This test is used to detect prostate cancer.

Read these seven tips to reduce your risk of cancer, and talk with your primary care provider to learn more ways you can screen for and detect cancer in its early stages.

Did you know an HPV infection can lead to cervical cancer? In this Q&A video, Suzette Peltier, M.D., a Mayo Clinic Health System OB-GYN, discusses how getting an HPV vaccine can reduce the chances of getting cervical cancer. Learn who should get the vaccine and at what age: