Spotlight on Well-Being: Cancer Screening
What is Cancer?
Cancer is a group of many diseases. There are many different types of cancer. Cancer occurs when the human body's production of new cells is too active. Normal adult cells divide only to replace or repair damaged cells. Cancer cells are different because they cannot stop dividing and they spread out of control. Each cancer is named after the part of the body where it starts (for example, breast cancer).
Who Gets Cancer?
No one can predict who will get cancer and who will not. Some cancers run in families. These cancers are called genetic or inherited. Cancer can also be caused by other factors such as the environment (e.g., indoor air quality, such as radon levels, and outdoor air pollution), your lifestyle, and your community conditions (or factors where you live, work, and play) known as the social determinants of health. In some cancers, chemicals in a workplace setting or in the environment may also play a role. Some ways to lower your risk of developing certain cancers include avoiding tobacco, avoiding or drinking less alcohol, and eating a healthy.
Learn more about risk factors for cancer
Preventative Measures
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You can lower your chances of getting some cancers by:
For some types of cancer, there are screening tests that can help find cancer early when it is most treatable. Screening means checking your body for cancer before you have symptoms. Talk to your doctor about which screening tests are right for you.
Screening tests include:
- Mammogram for breast cancer
- Pap test, HPV test, or combination of both for cervical cancer
- At-home stool-based tests and colonoscopy for colorectal cancer
- Prostate specific antigen (PSA) test for prostate cancer, following a discussion between the patient and their doctor about the benefits and potential harms of screening (shared decision making)
- Low dose CT scan for lung cancer (only for people who have a history of heavy smoking, and smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years and don’t have any symptoms of lung cancer)
Resources to Remember
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Working with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, KnovaSolutions can identify participants through claims data that may indicate the presence of significant health challenges. KnovaSolutions will then reach out to eligible participants via letters and/or phone calls to explain the services they offer and to answer any questions. This is a confidential and voluntary health service provided by an independent team of nurse clinicians, pharmacists, diabetic educators, and medical research librarians.
Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Use KGA, our free and confidential Employee Assistance Program, to connect with a therapist to help process the news and to support a loved one.