Be Proactive When Considering Screening for Cancer Symptoms

While some cancers are hereditary, screening for symptoms can help maintain health.

According to Melissa Rieben, CRNP, a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner at Mercy Personal Physicians at Ellicott City, anyone who has a family history of cancer may want to start screening at younger ages to be proactive.

Rieben said to go to a dermatologist once a year so they can examine anything on the skin that may be worrisome.

The most common cancers in women are breast, skin, cervical, colorectal and lung, among others.

"Cervical cancer screenings: Starting at 21, you should see a gynecologist," Rieben said. "Some gynecologists will start doing the screenings at 21. Some will wait until 25. But absolutely establish that care with the gynecologist and go for those routine appointments."

Women should consider getting mammograms starting at age 40, unless there are strong family risk factors that would necessitate earlier screening.

Rieben said screening for colorectal cancer now starts at 45.

"They've changed those guidelines. It used to be 50, but now they're recommending starting screening at age 45," Rieben said.

There are also several risk factors for developing cancer that include obesity, smoking and a lack of activity.

A few minutes of discomfort with some of these screenings is much less painful than surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

View Mercy certified registered nurse practitioner Melissa Rieben's interview regarding women, preventive cancer care and cancer screenings.