Cancer screening and diagnosis

Screening tests find health conditions before you have symptoms. Routine cancer screenings help you and your doctor catch cancer early – when it’s easier to treat.

What screenings do I need?

Ask your primary care provider which screenings are right for you based on your age, sex, health history, family history and other risk factors. Your doctor may recommend:

• Cervical cancer screening (Pap test)
• Colonoscopy or other colon cancer test
• Lung cancer screening
• Mammogram or other breast imaging test
• Prostate cancer screening (PSA test)
• Skin cancer screening

Your risk for cancer

Your risk for cancer is determined by a combination of factors. Knowing and understanding your risk level can help you make decisions about screenings and prevention. The most common factors that increase your cancer risk are genetics and family history.

Genetic testing for cancer

Some people carry a gene mutation that gives them a higher risk of developing cancer. A genetic counselor at ProHealth can help you decide whether to take a genetic test for cancer.

Diagnosing cancer

If you have signs or symptoms that suggest cancer, your doctor will order diagnostic tests to find the cause. Count on ProHealth for a full range of services that help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis, including:

• Biopsy – Removes and examines a small piece of body tissue under a microscope.
• Imaging tests – Take pictures of the inside of your body to reveal tumors.
• Lab tests – Look at your blood or other body fluids for substances that indicate cancer.

Image-guided biopsies

Whenever possible, your ProHealth team uses a minimally invasive approach to get a tissue sample for biopsy. A specially trained doctor uses imaging technology to safely and accurately guide a biopsy needle to a concerning lump or nodule. This nonsurgical approach means you benefit from:

• Faster results
• Few or no stitches
• Limited scarring or bruising
• Lower cost
• Shorter recovery time