Prevention
Inova Cancer Services is dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment and ultimately, the prevention of cancer.
Helpful cancer prevention tips
- Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke
- Eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Drink alcohol in moderation
- Avoid exposure to toxic chemicals
- Protect your skin from excessive exposure to sunlight and always wear sunscreen
- Ask your doctor about vaccines that may help protect you from certain cancers
Regular self-exams you should perform regularly
- Check your skin monthly for any changes in moles or for wounds that do not heal
- Women should perform monthly breast self-exams starting at age 20
- Men should perform monthly testicular exams
Recommended cancer screening exams
- Schedule yearly physical exams to detect cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage. Periodic exams include physical exams and blood and urine tests. Your physician also may recommend tests such as ultrasound, X-rays, CT and MRI to diagnose suspected cancers.
- Women should have yearly Pap tests starting at age 18. Women age 20-39 should have a clinical breast exam every three years. Over age 40, women should have a mammogram and a clinical breast exam every year. See the American Cancer Society’s guidelines.
- Men age 50 and older should have a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test yearly.
- All adults age 40 and over should have a yearly digital rectal exam (DRE). At age 50 and older, a fecal occult blood test should be performed ever year and a flexible sigmoidoscopy every three to five years.
Warning signs of cancer
If you have any of these warning signs, call 703-750-8800 for a physician referral or make an appointment with your physician- Change in bowel or bladder habits
- Sore that does not heal
- Unusual bleeding or discharge
- Thickening or lump in breast or any other part of the body
- Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
- Obvious change in wart or mole
- Nagging cough or hoarseness
American Cancer Society guidelines for optimal breast health
- Monthly breast self-exam beginning at age 20
- Clinical breast exam by your doctor every three years for ages 20-39
- Annual clinical breast exam by your doctor beginning at age 40
- Baseline mammogram between the ages of 35 and 40
- Annual mammograms beginning at age 40
- When additional screening is recommended, breast ultrasound and breast MRI are extremely useful imaging tools
