Behind heart disease, cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. While Pikeville Medical Center’s Lawson Cancer Center has advanced capabilities to fight the disease, our expert physicians will tell you that the best way to wage battle is to detect cancer in its earliest stages.
Early detection starts when you maintain a regular schedule of routine screenings.
Many routine cancer screenings at Pikeville Medical Center are available to be scheduled online or facilitated through a call. Click on the screening tabs below for information and for links to get scheduled today.
Most insurance plans fully or partially pay for preventive screenings.
Check with your insurance provider to determine coverage under your plan for the screenings outlined in each of the sections below.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women with one in eight women being diagnosed with it during their lifetimes. Pikeville Medical Center has the advanced capability to diagnose it in its earliest stages, when its most effectively treated.
Pikeville Medical Center recommends the following breast cancer screening protocols for women:
Breast Self-Exams
Adult women of all ages are encouraged to perform breast self-exams at least once a month.
Clinical Breast Exams
Your Ob/Gyn provider will conduct a physical exam of your breast during your annual women’s health screening as a check for lumps or other changes.
Mammograms
Regular mammograms are the best test doctors have to find breast cancer early. Women ages 40 to 44 should have the option to start receiving annual mammograms. Women ages 45-54 should get mammograms every year. Women aged 55 and older may switch to receiving a mammogram every other year, or they may continue yearly screening.
Pikeville Medical Center provides women access to leading-edge 3-D mammography technology with the ability to detect up to 65 percent more invasive breast cancers than that of standard mammography equipment.
Ultrasounds
Pikeville Medical Center offers a testing option as a supplement to a routine mammogram for women with dense breast tissue through our Automated Breast Ultrasound System 2.0, by GE. Discuss this option with your doctor.
Most cases of cervical cancer occur in women who were never screened or inadequately screened. Cervical cancer is diagnosed in women at an average age of 50 years old although it can be diagnosed in women in their 30s and 40s. Early detection and routine screenings are an important step in fighting the disease.
There are two screening tests that can help prevent or detect cervical cancer. Pikeville Medical Center’s OB/GYN physicians and many of our Family Practice physicians are able to provide these important screenings.
Pap Screenings
Pap smears look for precancerous cells of the cervix that may progress to cervical cancer if not treated appropriately. Women should begin getting pap smears at age 21 every three years. Beginning at age 30, pap smears are recommended every three years or every five years if also screened for HPV. Screenings are typically continued until age 65, but based on your medical history you may require additional screening.
HPV Screenings
HPV screenings look for high risk types of HPV that can lead to pre-cancerous changes and cancers of the cervix and vulva. HPV screenings are often done together with a Pap smear although they can be done as a stand-alone test. Pikeville Medical Center also offers vaccination against HPV with the Gardasil vaccine that can help prevent cervical cancer and genital warts.
Excluding some types of skin cancer, colon/colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. This type of cancer can, however, be effectively treated when detected early. There are a variety of screening options, and it is recommended that all men and women ages 50 to 75 be routinely tested. Some sources indicate for screenings to begin as early as age 45.
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is considered the most sensitive colon cancer screening test, allowing the physician to view the entire colon and rectum during the procedure. This screening further allows the physician to remove any abnormal tissue or polyps during the course of the exam. A colonoscopy is recommended every 10 years for those in the age range identified above.
Other Screening Options:
Pikeville Medical Center recommends that you talk to your primary care provider about the pros and cons of each test, which test is best for you and the frequency of your testing schedule.
Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the U.S. Approximately one man in eight will be diagnosed with it in his lifetime.
PSA Test
The most effective test used to screen for prostate cancer is a prostate specific antigen or PSA test. PSA is a substance produced by the prostate. A PSA test measures the level of PSA in in a man’s blood with high PSA levels being a possible indicator that a prostate issue is present.
Before receiving a PSA test, men should talk to their Family Medicine providers about the benefits and risks of a prostate cancer screening using this schedule as a guideline:
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Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, occurring in about one in eight women. Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) is now offering a new screening tool designed specifically for dense breast tissue which could help detect breast cancer sooner. PMC now offers the Invenia Automated Breast Ultrasound System (ABUS) 2.0, by GE.
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