Are you between 30-39 years of age? Do you need cancer screening?

 As we grow older the risk to develop cancer increases. But we need to remember the fact that cancer can strike at any age.  Due to the risk of different cancer appearing at different ages, the cancer screening program varies as per the age and sex of the patient.

We need to be aware of age and gender suitable cancer screening program and must follow the guidelines as early detection of cancer due to screening saves lives.

For male 

Colon cancer screening

If you are not at high risk of developing colon cancer then you may not benefit from colon cancer screening at this age.

But if you are high risk – ie if you fall into any one of the following categories then you may need colon cancer screening and you must consult your doctor.

People with higher risk of colon cancer

-         Family history of colon cancer

-         Personal history of certain types of polyp

-         A personal history of inflammatory bowel diseases lie – ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease

-        A confirmed or suspected hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer or HNPCC)

-         History of radiation to abdomen and pelvis.

Females within the age of 30-39 years

Breast cancer screening – For women with an average risk of breast cancer, breast cancer screening is not needed at this age. You need be to be aware of the look and feel of your breast and report to your doctor if there is any abnormality.

If you are at higher risk of development of breast cancer because of –

Previous history of breast cancer in one breast

Family history of breast cancer

Have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation.

Have first degree relatives with gene mutations

Had radiation therapy to the chest

Have Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden syndrome, or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome, or have first-degree relatives with one of these syndromes

For high-risk females, it may be useful to get mammography done yearly.

Cervical cancer

In the age group, 30-39 years get HPV and PAP smear every five years or Only PAP test every three years.