The Earlier, the Better
If you are already talking with your doctor about recommended cancer screenings, good for you! Another way you can help is by encouraging friends and family members to do the same.
I have a patient who is diligent about getting her annual mammogram. But her mother-in-law had never had one. My patient convinced her to go and early-stage breast cancer was detected. Had she never gone for the mammogram, her prognosis might have been very different. Fortunately, we were able to catch it early, treat it early and she’s doing very well.
As an oncologist, I’ve seen so many patients who either weren’t screened or waited until they had a symptom before being tested. The bottom line is that getting screened for cancer can mean survival. More and more treatment options are available, so if something is to be found, find it when the disease is most treatable!
Brian Calabrese, DO, Oncology
Part of the Routine
My role as a family physician is to encourage my patients to have appropriate cancer screenings based on age and family history. It’s something we discuss during their annual physical, but not all my patients get a physical each year. So I bring it up with my patients as I can.
My advice? Go get screened. I can’t force them, but I can be pushy. I ask patients to go home and encourage their family and friends to talk to their doctors about screenings. If my patient is hesitant, we discuss the various tests, the necessary preparation (if any) and why early detection so important.
Many times, my most apprehensive patients will come in after being tested and describe how relieved they feel knowing that nothing was found. And interestingly, once they get the good news, they’re much better about scheduling recommended screenings.
William Lander, MD, Family Practice