Because cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States (after heart disease), routine cancer screenings are extremely important. Dr. Kadie Leach is an experienced internal medicine physician who provides cancer screenings in her Lanham, Maryland, office. To find out which cancer screenings you should have, call today or book an appointment online.
Cancer screenings detect different forms of cancer in their early stages to prevent them from spreading and becoming life-threatening. The type of cancer screenings you should have depends on your age, gender, and risk factors. For example, if you’re a chain smoker, Dr. Leach may recommend lung cancer screening.
Dr. Leach works with you to determine which cancer screenings (if any) you need during your appointment. A few general cancer screening guidelines supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) include:
Dr. Leach lets you know how often to get screened for these and other cancers, as early detection is crucial to surviving the disease.
Cancer screening procedures vary by the type of cancer you’re being tested for. A mammogram is an X-ray of the breasts and the best way to detect breast cancer in its early stages. Dr. Leach completes Pap tests, by scraping cells from the cervix, during pelvic exams to screen for cervical cancer.
Stool tests, colonoscopies, and computed tomography (CT) colonographies are examples of colon cancer screening tests. Colonoscopies use long flexible tubes to find and remove the colon and rectal polyps that may be cancerous.
When caught early, cancer is often treatable. The type of treatment you’ll require depends on which cancer you have. Dr. Leach may recommend:
If a cancer screening detects cancer, Dr. Leach lets you know which next steps are necessary to eliminate it. She may refer you to a specialist if necessary. To be proactive and find out if you have an early (treatable) stage of cancer, call Dr. Leach’s office today or book an appointment online.