January 2015 –Focus of the Month
Cancer Screening
Preventive screenings are a cost effective way to identify and treat potential health problems before they get worse. Based on scientific review, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force develops recommendations and assigns a letter grade to each preventive service. Services with grade A and B are recommended.
Note: Grade A = high certainty that the net benefit is substantial.
Grade B = high certainty that the net benefit is moderate or there is moderate certainty that the net benefit is moderate to substantial.
Type |
Populations |
Recommendation |
Breast |
Women, Age 50-74 Years
|
Biennial screening mammography for women 50-74 years. (B) |
Women who have Family Members with Breast, Ovarian, Tubal, or Peritoneal Cancer |
Primary care providers screen women who have family members with breast, ovarian, tubal, or peritoneal cancer with 1 of several screening tools designed to identify a family history that may be associated with an increased risk for potentially harmful mutations in breast cancer susceptibility genes (BRCA1 or BRCA2). Women with positive screening results should receive genetic counseling and, if indicated after counseling, BRCA testing. (B) |
|
Cervical |
Women 21 to 65 (Pap Smear) or 30-65 (in combo with HPV testing) |
Screening for cervical cancer in women age 21 to 65 years with cytology (Pap smear) every 3 years or, for women age 30 to 65 years who want to lengthen the screening interval, screening with a combination of cytology and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing every 5 years. There are clinical considerations for discussion of cytology method, HPV testing, and screening interval. (A) |
Colorectal |
Adults, beginning at age 50 years and continuing until age 75 years |
Screening for colorectal cancer using fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy in adults, beginning at age 50 years and continuing until age 75 years. The risks and benefits of these screening methods vary. (A) |
Lung |
Adults Aged 55-80, with a History of Smoking |
Annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in adults aged 55 to 80 years who have a 30 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. Screening should be discontinued once a person has not smoked for 15 years or develops a health problem that substantially limits life expectancy or the ability or willingness to have curative lung surgery. (B) |
For a complete list of preventive services recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, visit
www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/
Get Screened in 2015.
WEEKLY WELLNESS BOOSTERS
Make small changes in 2015. Western Maryland Health System and Make Healthy Choices Easy will post a “Weekly Wellness Booster” on their Facebook page and website, to motivate and challenge you. By simply commenting or sharing a picture below each post, you will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $25 gift card. You can also email your wellness experience to cmoffatt@wmhs.com or share it by calling 240-964-8424.
BONUS: The comment or picture that gets the most likes on the WMHS or Make Healthy Choices Easy Facebook pages each month will receive a $25 gift card!