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Screening For Cancer Is Critical

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -The best way to deal with cancer is to detect it early and get a jump start.

For instance, if you have a colonoscopy you can catch potential colon cancer tumors early when they are still small polyps. The same can be said for detecting breast lumps before they have had a chance to aggressively spread.

Many forms of cancer like skin cancer are more effectively treated when caught early but when should screening be done and who makes these recommendations?

I often point to the United States Preventive Services Task Force or USPSTF which can do the job and you should always talk with your doctor but here are some basic guidelines assuming no family history:

Breast cancer a yearly mammogram after forty; colorectal cancer talk about screening with your doctor; prostate cancer psa and rectal exam should be considered at fifty and a routine skin cancer check can be done yearly.

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