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Prostate Cancer
For men of average risk, the following screening tests should be done yearly beginning at the age of 50.
Yearly digital rectal exam
Yearly prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
African American men, and men with a first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer, should begin
yearly screening at age 40.
- Early detection of prostate cancer has a 100% survival rate
Colon and Rectal Cancer
Screening tests for colon and rectal cancer should
begin at age 50 for people of average risk - meaning those with no
personal or family history of cancer or abnormal polyps in the colon, and
no personal history of inflammatory bowel disease. Men and women should
follow one of the following examination schedules:
- Fecal occult blood test every year
OR
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
OR
- Fecal occult blood test every year and flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
OR
- Colonoscopy every 10 years
OR
- Double contrast barium enema every 5 years
(Of these five
options, The American Cancer Society prefers option 3.)
- Early detection of colon and rectal cancer has nearly a 90% survival rate
Skin Cancer
For men and women of average risk:
An initial clinical skin exam should be done starting at the age of 40. Followed by...
Yearly clinical skin exams as well as monthly self-exams looking for any changes on the skin: size or color of a mole or other dark pigmentation
- Over 1 million highly curable basal and squamous cell
skin cancers are diagnosed every year. Melanoma is the most serious, however, when detected early it is highly curable.
Cancer Related Checkups
The American Cancer Society recommends that you have a cancer-related checkup every three years if you are under the age of 40, and every year if you are age 40
or older. The cancer-related checkup should include examinations for cancers of the thyroid, mouth, skin, and lymph nodes, an examination of the testicles for men,
and an examination of the ovaries for women. The checkup should also include health counseling such as tips on quitting smoking.
If cancer is found through a screening exam or diagnostic test, a referral can be made to staff at the Sparrow Regional Cancer Center for care.
Sparrow Regional Cancer Center physicians work closely with a patient's personal physician and other members of the multidisciplinary team to
develop an individualized treatment plan. The plan could include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, or entering a research trial.
We also treat the whole person, not just the disease, by offering the following services and support options:
Breast Self-Examination Class: This program includes a presentation on breast health, the importance of early detection of cancer, and a personalized
self-exam instruction with a registered nurse. For more information or to schedule an appointment call 517.364.2689.
Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Center is for women newly
diagnosed with breast cancer. It is a place to meet with a
multidisciplinary team, to learn about breast cancer and options women have for
treatment.
WINS (Breast Cancer Support Group) is for a women, their family and friends. It provides educational programs and the opportunity to share experiences related
to breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. The support group meets monthly
on the second Monday of each month 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
GYN Cancer Support Group is a new support group
for women diagnosed with a gynecological cancer (ovary, uterus, cervix, vulva). It provides a confidential setting where women can learn through
educational programs and each other, share feelings, experiences and concerns related to their cancer diagnosis. The support group meets monthly on the third Monday of each month 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
 Prostate Cancer Support Group of Mid-Michigan is for
men diagnosed with prostate cancer, their families and friends. The support group
meets monthly on the first Thursday of each month 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm.
Education and support is the focus of this group.
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