Stay Healthy with Cancer Screenings on the Central Coast

Cancer screenings are one of the most important actions you can take for a long, healthy life. Dignity Health Central Coast offers a range of cancer screening tests on California’s Central Coast to detect and treat cancer in its earliest stages.

Colon cancer screenings, prostate cancer screenings, and breast cancer screenings are among the most recognizable early detection tests. Find a Doctor at Dignity Health Central Coast to learn more about which preventive cancer screenings are right for you.

Encouraging Cancer Screening Tests at Dignity Health Central Coast

Finding cancer early, even before symptoms appear, is the goal of cancer screenings at Dignity Health Central Coast. Certain screening exams, such as a colonoscopy or Pap test, can even detect precancerous changes so you can avoid cancer completely. 

While most cancers affect everyone, specific screenings diagnose cancers that occur only in men or only in women. These include uterine cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. While anyone can get breast cancer, mammograms are a common breast cancer screening for only women. 

Your doctor is the best guide for determining the cancer screening you may need to prevent cancer. Recommended screenings for women and recommended screenings for men can vary based on your personal medical history, risks, age, and other factors.

Cancer Screening & Early Detection

Different tests and exams focus on specific cancers. Lab tests, imaging exams, genetic testing, and physical exams all can help pinpoint cancer in its early stages.

Want to know more about cancer screenings on the Central Coast of California. Visit Dignity Health Central Coast to talk with a cancer specialist who cares about your health and well-being.

What Is Cancer Screening?

Cancer screening exams are medical tests performed when you are healthy, with no signs of illness.

Key Points:

  • Cancer screening is looking for cancer before a person has any symptoms.
  • Screening tests can help find cancer at an early stage, before symptoms appear. When abnormal tissue or cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat or cure. By the time symptoms appear, the cancer may have grown and spread. This can make the cancer harder to treat or cure.
  • It is important to remember that when your doctor suggests a screening test, it does not always mean he or she thinks you have cancer. Screening tests are done when you have no cancer symptoms.
  • Screening tests have been shown to reduce cancer deaths.

Healthy Choices:

You can reduce your risk of getting cancer by making healthy choices:

  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Avoid tobacco
  • Limit the amount of alcohol you drink
  • Protect your skin

Get the Cancer Screenings You Need

These guidelines are for average-risk individuals. If you have a personal or family history of cancer, please discuss your cancer surveillance with your doctor.

Breast: Age 40

  • Yearly screening mammogram
  • Begin yearly clinical breast exam by health care provider and monthly breast self-exam at age 25

Cervical: Age 21-29

  • Pap smear every 3 years

Cervical: Age 30-65

  • Pap smear every 3 years or Pap smear and HPV test every 5 years

Colon: Age 45

  • Colonoscopy every 10 years for asymptomatic men/women with no personal or family risk factors

Lung: Age 50-80

  • Current smoker or quit within the past 15 years
  • Smoking history of at least 20 packs/year
  • Have one additional lung cancer risk factor such as exposure to radon gas, exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens, or family history of lung cancer

Prostate: Age 45

  • PSA and Digital Rectal Exam every 1-2 years until age 75, dependent on PSA

More Information

For more information, please call one of the Mission Hope Cancer Centers and ask to speak with a Cancer Nurse Navigator. We are here to answer your questions, discuss insurance coverage and copayments, and to help you make an appointment for a cancer screening.

Mission Hope Cancer Center offers free annual Prostate and Skin Cancer screenings. Please sign up for our newsletter to watch for these events.

For information on our Lung Cancer Screening Program or for more information about Skin, Prostate or Colon screening please call: Carol Lowe, Oncology Nurse Navigator at 805-346-3463.