Cancer Screening
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Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C.
Sports Medicine & Primary Care Practice located in Lawrenceville, NJ
When cancer is caught early, you have the best chance of successful treatment. At Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C. in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, the experience providers are dedicated to providing important cancer screenings as part of your preventive health care. If you think you might be due for a routine cancer screening or have symptoms that suggest you need one, call the office to schedule an appointment or book online today.
Cancer Screening Q & A
Why are regular cancer screenings so important?
Cancer usually develops slowly without causing major symptoms. By the time you notice the changes it makes in your body, cancer has likely progressed beyond being easily treated.
Regular cancer screenings allow your doctor to identify cancer at an early stage. Certain types of cancer screenings, such as Pap smears for cervical cancer or colonoscopies for colorectal cancer, identify precancerous signs so you never develop the disease.
When should I get a cancer screening?
Cancer screening recommendations depend on your age, gender, medical history, and personal risk factors.
Cancer risk factors include obesity, a family history of a particular type of cancer, or unhealthy lifestyle habits such as cigarette smoking.
The doctors at Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C. review your personal risk factors and advise you on which cancer screenings are appropriate for you.
What types of cancer screening are available?
There are many types of cancer and thus, many types of cancer screening. Some of the most common screenings recommended by the doctors include:
Pap tests
Women receive regular Pap tests, also called Pap smears, during well-woman visits to screen for cell changes that suggest a risk or presence of cervical cancer. Your Pap smear results reveal precancerous and cancerous changes in cells collected in a simple swab from your cervix.
Colonoscopies
A colonoscopy gives your doctor an in-depth view of your large intestine. Regular tests usually begin at age 45, but if you have a history of colon cancer, you may need screenings sooner.
Mammograms
Clinical breast exams can help detect abnormalities in your breasts, but mammograms give a more thorough screening for breast cancer. Mammograms use a low-dose X-ray to provide an image of your breasts.
Skin checks
Skin checks consist of a physical exam of your skin from head to toe. The doctors look for suspicious lesions or moles that may suggest basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma. Skin checks are also used to detect melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer.
To schedule a routine cancer screening, call Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C. or book an appointment online.