It’s always exciting to received tickets to an advanced screening of the latest installment of a blockbuster franchise or of your favorite independent director’s latest offering. But while decidedly less exciting, it’s far more important to get advanced screenings for cancer.
Since April is Cancer Control Month, this is a good time to go over some basic cancer-screening information with your employees. If your employees wonder why advanced screening is so important, inform them that the American Cancer Society (ACS) reports an 82 percent 5-year survival rate for people who follow ACS-recommended early-detection screening guidelines! Furthermore, many cancers do not have noticeable symptoms—until they are in advanced stages.
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Urge employees to follow these five cancer screening guidelines from the ACS to spot the most common cancers as early as possible:
- Starting at age 20, have periodic cancer screenings as part of your regular checkups. Get these areas checked: thyroid, oral cavities, skin, lymph nodes, and sex organs.
- Starting at age 21, women should begin screening for cervical cancer. Get tested every 1 to 3 years depending on previous results and risk levels.
- Starting at age 40, women should have an annual mammogram. Begin breast self-exams in your 20s. If you are at high risk for breast cancer, talk with your doctor about beginning mammograms earlier than age 40.
- Starting at age 50, begin tests for colon and rectal cancers. Tests include flexible sigmoidoscopies every 5 years and colonoscopies every 10. Again, if you are at high risk, speak with your doctor about earlier or more frequent screening.
- Starting at age 50, men should begin screening for prostate cancer. Men at high risk should begin testing at age 45.
Early detection and treatment can save thousands of dollars in healthcare costs for employees and employers alike, so urge employees during today’s training session to pick a date for screening. For example, here is a reminder to distribute:
If an early-detection guideline applies to me, and I’m behind on my screenings, I will call my doctor by _________(enter date).
If your employees want more information on cancer screening, point them to http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/screening.
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Why It Matters
- There is an 82 percent 5-year survival rate for people who follow ACS-recommended early-detection screening guidelines.
- Many screenings are covered in whole or part by health insurance policies as cost-saving preventive measures.
- Cancer research is ongoing, and more effective treatments are being used.