According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Cancer occurrence varies by race and ethnicity:

African Americans have:

• 10 percent higher rate of cancer compared to whites
• Higher rate of lung, prostate, colon and rectal cancers in men than white men
• 35 percent higher death rate than whites
• 50 percent higher death rate in men than white men

Latinos have:

• Higher rates of cervical, esophageal, gallbladder and stomach cancer compared to whites

Asians have:

• Higher rates of stomach and liver cancers than other groups
• Cancer rates among Vietnamese women are 5 times that of white women

Whites have:

• Higher rates of leukemia than African Americans
• The highest rate of melanoma among all groups

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), 41 percent of men and women born today will be diagnosed with cancer at some time during their lifetimes.

Cancer can be cured or managed when it is found early. Checking for a disease when there are no signs is called screening. Talk to your doctor about your cancer risk. You can change some of your risk factors by making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and tobacco use, maintaining a healthy weight, eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day and exercising. Other factors such as genetics you have no control over.

Colon or rectal cancer screening:
» Starting at age 50, have one of these tests based on your risk:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)
• Yearly FOBT plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy with digital rectal exam (DRE) every 5 years
• Colonoscopy every 10 years
• Double contrast barium enema (DCBE) exam every 5-10 years

Lung cancer screening:
» There is no screening test for lung cancer at this time.
» The best way to prevent lung cancer is to stop smoking or never start.

Skin cancer screening:
» Check your skin each month. Report changes to your doctor.
» Have your doctor perform a skin exam during a regular check up.

Prostate cancer screening:
» Starting at age 50, talk with your doctor about getting screened for prostate cancer.

• Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test done each year
• Digital rectal exam (DRE) done each year

Testicular cancer screening:
» Talk to your doctor about whether you should practice a monthly testicular exam to check for a mass or lump.

Breast cancer screening starting at age 20:
» Talk to your doctor about whether you should practice a monthly breast self exam.
» Have a breast exam every 3 years.
» Have a baseline mammogram between ages 35-40.

Breast cancer screening starting at a 40:
» Have a yearly breast exam.
» Have a yearly mammogram.

Cervical cancer screening:
» Have a Pap test within 3 years of sexual activity. All women should have a Pap test by 21.
» At 30, if you have had 3 normal Pap tests in a row, you may begin to be screened every 2-3 years.

Endometrial cancer screening:
» There is no screening test for endometrial cancer.
» Report abnormal spotting, bleeding or pelvic pain to your doctor.
» Women over 40 should continue to have a Pap test and pelvic exam.