Three steps to prevent cancer or find it early

Screening tests

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supports screening for breast, cervical, colorectal (colon), and lung cancers as recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). These tests check your body for cancer before you have symptoms. They may find breast, cervical, and colorectal (colon) cancers early, when treatment is likely to work best. Lung cancer screening is recommended for some people who are at high risk.

The CDC recommends these cancer screenings:

• Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms.
• Pap tests can find abnormal cells in the cervix, which may turn into cervical cancer. Pap tests can find cervical cancer early. When caught early, the odds of a better outcome is very high.
• An HPV test looks for the virus (human papillomavirus) that can cause cell changes found in a Pap test, leading to cervical cancer.
• Colorectal cancer screening can detect precancerous polyps before they turn into cancer. Colorectal cancer almost always develops from these abnormal growths. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early in its development, when treatment works best.
• Yearly lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is recommended for people who have a history of heavy smoking, or smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years and are between 50 and 80 years old. If you currently smoke or inhale tobacco products, it’s best to stop now.

Vaccines

Vaccines also help lower cancer risk. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps prevent most cervical cancers and several other kinds of cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine can help lower liver cancer risk.

Healthy choices

You can reduce your cancer risk by making healthy choices like keeping a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco, limiting the amount of alcohol you drink, and protecting your skin.

What Capital Blue Cross can do for you

If you are a Capital Blue Cross member, many preventive screenings may be covered under your health plan, at no cost to you. Visit your preventive benefits page, or call the number on the back of your ID card. If you’re looking for a primary care provider or specialist in your area, use MyCare Finder, which helps you find the right fit in the right place.