6

5

ram — a

at often

r a woman

an’s risk of

gets older.

te (NCI)

or older

mmogram

t — the

rom the

uterus or

s are sent

normal.

all women

 every 3

ge 65 or

about

 Pap tests.

 by a

illoma

in the

cers: Pelvic

he uterus,

for any

vagina and the cervix can be seen.

Colorectal Cancer: Fecal Occult

Blood Test — stool samples are put onspecial cards and sent to a lab. In thelab, they are looked at under a microscope to see if there is occult (hidden)blood, which can be a sign of cancer.Studies show that if you have a fecaloccult blood test every 1 or 2 yearsbetween the ages of 50 and 80, youcan lower your chance of dying fromcolorectal cancer. Most cases ofcolorectal cancer are diagnosed inpeople over age 50.

Colorectal Cancer: Sigmoidoscopy 

—

the doctor uses a thin, flexible tubewith a light to look inside the lowerpart of the colon and rectum forgrowths or abnormal areas. Studiesshow that sigmoidoscopy, done onceevery 5 years, can save lives.

Colorectal Cancer: Colonoscopy 

—

athough like a sigmoidoscopy, this

test looks at the whole colon. Somedoctors recommend a colonoscopy

every 10 years.

Mouth and Throat Cancers:

Oral Exams — are used by doctorsand dentists to detect cancer early by

Exam — the doctor puts a gloved fingerinto the rectum and feels the prostatethrough the wall of the rectum. If thedoctor feels hard or lumpy areas, theymay be a sign of cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer inAmerican men — especially men overage 65. Researchers are working tofind the best screening test for prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer: Prostate Specific

Antigen (PSA) — measures the amountof PSA in the blood. If the PSA levelis higher than average, it may meanthat prostate cancer cells are present.PSA levels also may be high in menwho have other prostate problems.Researchers are studying ways tomake the PSA test more accurate.

Skin Cancer: Skin Exams — are

routine exams of the skin that canhelp find skin cancer early. Skincancer is the most common formof cancer in the United States.

If a screening test does show a

growth or abnormal change, it doesn’talways mean that you have cancer. Youmay need more tests. A biopsy is theonly sure way to know whether the

6
6

5

ram — a

at often

r a woman

an’s risk of

gets older.

te (NCI)

or older

mmogram

t — the

rom the

uterus or

s are sent

normal.

all women

 every 3

ge 65 or

about

 Pap tests.

 by a

illoma

in the

cers: Pelvic

he uterus,

for any

vagina so that the upper part of thevagina and the cervix can be seen.

Colorectal Cancer: Fecal Occult

Blood Test — stool samples are put onspecial cards and sent to a lab. In thelab, they are looked at under a microscope to see if there is occult (hidden)blood, which can be a sign of cancer.Studies show that if you have a fecaloccult blood test every 1 or 2 yearsbetween the ages of 50 and 80, youcan lower your chance of dying fromcolorectal cancer. Most cases ofcolorectal cancer are diagnosed inpeople over age 50.

Colorectal Cancer: Sigmoidoscopy 

—

the doctor uses a thin, flexible tubewith a light to look inside the lowerpart of the colon and rectum forgrowths or abnormal areas. Studiesshow that sigmoidoscopy, done onceevery 5 years, can save lives.

Colorectal Cancer: Colonoscopy 

—

athough like a sigmoidoscopy, this

test looks at the whole colon. Somedoctors recommend a colonoscopy

every 10 years.

Mouth and Throat Cancers:

Oral Exams — are used by doctorsand dentists to detect cancer early by

Prostate Cancer: Digital Rectal

Exam — the doctor puts a gloved fingerinto the rectum and feels the prostatethrough the wall of the rectum. If thedoctor feels hard or lumpy areas, theymay be a sign of cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer inAmerican men — especially men overage 65. Researchers are working tofind the best screening test for prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer: Prostate Specific

Antigen (PSA) — measures the amountof PSA in the blood. If the PSA levelis higher than average, it may meanthat prostate cancer cells are present.PSA levels also may be high in menwho have other prostate problems.Researchers are studying ways tomake the PSA test more accurate.

Skin Cancer: Skin Exams — are

routine exams of the skin that canhelp find skin cancer early. Skincancer is the most common formof cancer in the United States.

If a screening test does show a

growth or abnormal change, it doesn’talways mean that you have cancer. Youmay need more tests. A biopsy is theonly sure way to know whether the

6
6

5

ram — a

at often

r a woman

an’s risk of

gets older.

te (NCI)

or older

mmogram

t — the

rom the

uterus or

s are sent

normal.

all women

 every 3

ge 65 or

about

 Pap tests.

 by a

illoma

in the

cers: Pelvic

he uterus,

for any

vagina so that the upper part of thevagina and the cervix can be seen.

Colorectal Cancer: Fecal Occult

Blood Test — stool samples are put onspecial cards and sent to a lab. In thelab, they are looked at under a microscope to see if there is occult (hidden)blood, which can be a sign of cancer.Studies show that if you have a fecaloccult blood test every 1 or 2 yearsbetween the ages of 50 and 80, youcan lower your chance of dying fromcolorectal cancer. Most cases ofcolorectal cancer are diagnosed inpeople over age 50.

Colorectal Cancer: Sigmoidoscopy 

—

the doctor uses a thin, flexible tubewith a light to look inside the lowerpart of the colon and rectum forgrowths or abnormal areas. Studiesshow that sigmoidoscopy, done onceevery 5 years, can save lives.

Colorectal Cancer: Colonoscopy 

—

although like a sigmoidoscopy, thistest looks at the whole colon. Somedoctors recommend a colonoscopy

every 10 years.

Mouth and Throat Cancers:

Oral Exams — are used by doctorsand dentists to detect cancer early by

Prostate Cancer: Digital Rectal

Exam — the doctor puts a gloved fingerinto the rectum and feels the prostatethrough the wall of the rectum. If thedoctor feels hard or lumpy areas, theymay be a sign of cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer inAmerican men — especially men overage 65. Researchers are working tofind the best screening test for prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer: Prostate Specific

Antigen (PSA) — measures the amountof PSA in the blood. If the PSA levelis higher than average, it may meanthat prostate cancer cells are present.PSA levels also may be high in menwho have other prostate problems.Researchers are studying ways tomake the PSA test more accurate.

Skin Cancer: Skin Exams — are

routine exams of the skin that canhelp find skin cancer early. Skincancer is the most common formof cancer in the United States.

If a screening test does show a

growth or abnormal change, it doesn’talways mean that you have cancer. Youmay need more tests. A biopsy is theonly sure way to know whether the

6
11 12

U.S. Department of Health andHuman ServicesNational Institutes of HealthOctober 2005

Cancer Institute, can provide accurate, up-to-date information aboutcancer. Information specialists cananswer your questions in English,Spanish, and on TTY equipment.The number is easy to remember:1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)or 1-800-332-8615 (TTY).You can get answers to yourquestions online throughthe CIS instant messagingservice on NCI’s websiteat www.cancer.gov.Click on “Need Help?”Then click on “LiveHelp”.For more information on healthand aging, contact:National Institute on AgingInformation CenterP.O. Box 8057Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057800-222-2225 (toll-free)800-222-4225 (TTY toll-free)To order publications (in English orSpanish) or sign up for regular emailalerts, visit: www.niapublications.org

ople

are more

he pros

olon, and

o are over

o develop

hat exer

chance

on can

ancers

ute on

ation on

50 and

 Infor

have

s a day.

of alco

cers of

hagus,

smoke

hol have

getting

s to avoid

erials

(www.nihseniorhealth.gov), a seniorfriendly website from the NationalInstitute on Aging and the NationalLibrary of Medicine. This simple-touse website features popular healthtopics for older adults, includinginformation on using medicinessafely. It has large type and a“talking” function that readsthe text out loud.
11 12

U.S. Department of Health andHuman ServicesNational Institutes of HealthOctober 2005

p

g

Cancer Institute, can provide accurate, up-to-date information aboutcancer. Information specialists cananswer your questions in English,Spanish, and on TTY equipment.The number is easy to remember:1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)or 1-800-332-8615 (TTY).You can get answers to yourquestions online throughthe CIS instant messagingservice on NCI’s websiteat www.cancer.gov.Click on “Need Help?”Then click on “LiveHelp”.For more information on healthand aging, contact:National Institute on AgingInformation CenterP.O. Box 8057Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057800-222-2225 (toll-free)800-222-4225 (TTY toll-free)To order publications (in English orSpanish) or sign up for regular emailalerts, visit: www.niapublications.org

ople

are more

he pros

olon, and

o are over

o develop

hat exer

chance

on can

ancers

ute on

ation on

50 and

 Infor

have

s a day.

of alco

cers of

hagus,

smoke

hol have

getting

s to avoid

erials

(www.nihseniorhealth.gov), a seniorfriendly website from the NationalInstitute on Aging and the NationalLibrary of Medicine. This simple-touse website features popular healthtopics for older adults, includinginformation on using medicinessafely. It has large type and a“talking” function that readsthe text out loud.
11 12

U.S. Department of Health andHuman ServicesNational Institutes of HealthOctober 2005

p

g

Cancer Institute, can provide accurate, up-to-date information aboutcancer. Information specialists cananswer your questions in English,Spanish, and on TTY equipment.The number is easy to remember:1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)or 1-800-332-8615 (TTY).You can get answers to yourquestions online throughthe CIS instant messagingservice on NCI’s websiteat www.cancer.gov.Click on “Need Help?”Then click on “LiveHelp”.For more information on healthand aging, contact:National Institute on AgingInformation CenterP.O. Box 8057Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057800-222-2225 (toll-free)800-222-4225 (TTY toll-free)To order publications (in English orSpanish) or sign up for regular emailalerts, visit: www.niapublications.org

ople

are more

he pros

olon, and

o are over

o develop

hat exer

chance

on can

ancers

ute on

ation on

50 and

 Infor

have

s a day.

of alco

cers of

hagus,

smoke

hol have

getting

s to avoid

erials

(www.nihseniorhealth.gov), a seniorfriendly website from the NationalInstitute on Aging and the NationalLibrary of Medicine. This simple-touse website features popular healthtopics for older adults, includinginformation on using medicinessafely. It has large type and a“talking” function that readsthe text out loud.