Education
Screenings and Prevention
Are your screenings up to date?
Early detection really does save lives, and we encourage you to talk to your doctor about your risks and cancer screening schedule.
Reduce Your Risk
While we can’t prevent all cancers, you can take steps to reduce your risk of developing certain types of cancer.
- Avoiding tobacco
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet
- Get regular exercise and maintain a healthy weight
- Protecting yourself from the sun
- Getting immunized
- Avoiding risky behaviors
- Following a screening schedule, including self-exams
Types of Screenings at Sentara
Breast Cancer Screening
A mammogram is a breast X-ray that looks for tissue changes. Screening mammograms for breast cancer typically begin at age 40 for individuals assigned female at birth.
Cervical Cancer Screening
People ages 25 to 65 should get a Pap (Pap smear), a test that looks at tissue from your cervix to identify signs of cervical cancer, every three years and an HPV test every five years.
Colon Cancer Screening
Our specialists may screen for colon cancer with a colonoscopy and a stool test. Screenings should begin at age 45 or earlier if you have a family history or certain risk factors.
Genetic Testing
Sentara experts can conduct testing on a blood or salvia sample to look for rare, inherited mutations. After interpreting the results, we work with you and our physicians to advise you on managing your, and possibly your family’s, hereditary risk of cancer.
Lung Cancer Screening
A lung cancer screening is performed with a non-invasive imaging test called a low-dose CT scan. Our experts recommend screening for adults ages 50 to 80 years who have a 20 pack / year history of smoking and currently smoke or quit within the last 15 years.
Prostate Cancer Screening
Prostate cancer screenings are recommended for people with prostates that are 50 and older of average risk, those 40 and over with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age, and African-Americans age 45 and older.
Skin Cancer Screening
If you have light skin or a history of skin cancer in your family, you might have regular skin cancer screenings. This is done by a physician who performs a visual exam of your skin, checking for marks that are unusual in size, shape or texture.
Early Detection, Early Action
Our specialists offer prevention strategies and cancer screening recommendations to find cancer when it is most treatable. Our cancer board-certified and fellowship-trained specialists strive to exceed national benchmarks, the standards set for care excellence. We work relentlessly, communicating and coordinating with you, so that you have the best possible outcome.
Nobody should face cancer alone.
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