It is important you see your primary care provider in Barron regularly. He or she will help you prevent and detect cancer by reminding you to complete recommended screenings based on your age or any risk factors. Regular screenings include:

• Colonoscopy — An exam to detect changes or abnormalities in the large intestine/colon and rectum. People with an average risk of colon cancer are usually screened at age 50. However, people with an increased risk, such as family history of colon cancer, should consider getting screened sooner.
• Lung — This test is used to detect lung cancer at an early stage, when it’s more likely to be cured. The goal of lung screening is to look for signs of lung cancer in otherwise healthy people.
• Mammogram — To prevent and detect breast cancer early, women who are 40 and older should get a mammogram every year. Some women may need a mammogram at an earlier age based on family history or other risk factors.

Read these 7 tips to reduce your risk of cancer, and talk with your primary care provider to learn more ways you can screen for and detect cancer in its early stages.

Did you know an HPV infection can lead to cervical cancer? In this Q&A video, Suzette Peltier, M.D., discusses how getting an HPV vaccine can reduce the chances of getting cervical cancer. Learn who should get the vaccine and at what age: