Screen Time: Looking for Cancer

I decided to create this post after scheduling my own wellness checkup, a mammogram, and a colonoscopy consultation. After subtle urging from others, I realized it was easier to make the appointments than to insist I was fine. I was very fortunate to find doctors who could see me right away. I do not have any concerns about cancer personally, but I saw this as an opportunity to share important information with others about screening and early detection. As they often say, "Better safe than sorry!"

Why this matters

Cancer outcomes change a lot depending on when a diagnosis is made. Early detection saves lives for colorectal and breast cancer; pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed late and is more deadly as a result. The three cancers below are different in how they behave, how they are each screened, and how preventable they are — so each needs a different approach.

Pancreatic cancer

Overview & impact. Pancreatic cancer carries a high mortality rate because symptoms are vague and it is frequently found at a late stage. In the U.S., pancreatic cancer has one of the highest death-to-case ratios among common cancers.

Typical symptoms (early signs are often subtle): upper abdominal pain or mid-back pain, unexplained weight loss, new-onset diabetes, yellowing of skin/eyes (jaundice), persistent indigestion, pale stools, dark urine. If these are new and unexplained, they deserve prompt medical evaluation.

Risk factors: older age, smoking, long-standing diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, certain inherited gene mutations (BRCA2, PALB2, CDKN2A, etc.), and a strong family history of pancreatic cancer. People with multiple affected relatives are at noticeably higher risk.

Screening: There is no recommended routine screening for the general population — screening for pancreatic cancer is limited to people at high hereditary or familial risk and is usually done by specialized centers using MRI and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Surveillance in properly identified high-risk people can detect earlier cancers and may improve outcomes. If you have two or more close relatives with pancreatic cancer, talk to a genetics clinic.

Treatment and outlook: Treatments include surgery (if the tumor is operable), chemotherapy, and radiation. Survival improves dramatically when the disease is caught early, which is why high-risk surveillance and rapid evaluation of suspicious symptoms matter.

Colorectal cancer

Overview & impact. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is common but highly treatable when detected early. Screening finds precancerous polyps that can be removed before they become cancer. The U.S. task force recommends screening starting at age 45 for average-risk adults.

Colorectal cancer includes both colon cancer, which begins in the colon, and rectal cancer, which starts in the rectum. While they occur in different parts of the large intestine, their symptoms, risk factors, and screening methods are largely the same.

Symptoms that should not be ignored: persistent change in bowel habits, blood in or on the stool, unexplained abdominal pain, a feeling that the bowel does not empty, unexplained weight loss, and persistent fatigue. If these appear, see a clinician immediately — don’t wait for screening age.

Risk factors: age (risk rises after age 45), family history of colorectal cancer or certain genetic syndromes (Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis), inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, high intake of red/processed meat, heavy alcohol use, and smoking.

Screening options (advantages and frequency):

• Colonoscopy — gold-standard: visualizes colon and allows polyp removal; typically every 10 years if normal. It both detects cancer early and prevents cancer by removing polyps.

• FIT (fecal immunochemical test) — at-home stool test done yearly; positive tests require colonoscopy.

• Stool DNA tests (e.g., Cologuard) — every 1–3 years depending on the test; positive tests require colonoscopy. Choice of test is a personal/medical decision; the important thing is to be screened on a schedule recommended by your provider.

Prevention: healthy weight, regular exercise, a diet high in fiber and low in processed/red meat, limiting alcohol, and not smoking all lower risk.

Breast cancer

Overview & impact. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide and a leading cause of cancer death, but it can also affect men, though far less frequently. Screening mammography reduces mortality by finding cancers earlier in women; men should be aware of any unusual changes in their breast tissue. Major U.S. guideline bodies recommend routine screening, though details differ slightly.

Symptoms that should prompt evaluation: new breast lump or thickening, changes in breast size or shape, skin dimpling, nipple retraction, nipple discharge (especially bloody), or persistent local pain. Any new, unexplained change should be evaluated.

Risk factors: age (risk increases with age), family history of breast cancer, inherited mutations (BRCA1/BRCA2), personal history of certain benign breast conditions, higher lifetime estrogen exposure (early menstruation, late menopause), obesity after menopause, alcohol use, and hormone replacement therapy.

Screening recommendations (summary of common guidance):

• USPSTF (summary): recommends regular screening mammography with individualized decisions for women starting around age 40 and supports biennial screening in many age ranges; exact phrasing and intervals vary by age and risk.

• American Cancer Society and other bodies have similar but slightly different age-frequency guidance; high-risk people (BRCA carriers, strong family history) often start sooner and add MRI. Always discuss personal risk with your clinician to tailor screening.

• While breast cancer is far more common in women, men can develop it too. Routine mammogram screening is not recommended for men at average risk, but those with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations or a strong family history may be advised to have clinical breast exams and sometimes annual mammograms starting around age 35–40. All men should watch for unusual changes, such as lumps, nipple discharge, dimpling, or thickening, and report them promptly to a healthcare provider. Early evaluation improves the chances of successful treatment.

Prevention: lifestyle factors (maintaining healthy weight, limiting alcohol, regular exercise) lower risk modestly; genetic counseling is recommended if you have a strong family history.

Practical steps for screenings

• If you have symptoms, don’t wait. Call your doctor and say you have (list the specific symptom). Symptoms deserve prompt evaluation regardless of age.

• Get screened on schedule. If you’re 45 or older, schedule colorectal screening if you haven’t. If you’re in the age band for mammography or have risk factors, follow your provider’s advice for breast screening. Screening saves lives for colorectal and breast cancers.

• If you have strong family history (multiple relatives with the same cancer), ask about genetic counseling. For pancreatic cancer concerns specifically, ask whether you qualify for high-risk surveillance.

• Talk prevention — move more, eat more fiber and vegetables, limit processed meat and alcohol, don’t smoke, and manage weight and diabetes if present. These reduce risk for colorectal and breast cancer and improve overall health.

Treatment reality and hope

• Early-stage colorectal and breast cancers often have very good outcomes with established surgery, radiation, and systemic therapies. Screening and early detection are the main reasons survival for these cancers has improved over recent decades.

• Pancreatic cancer is harder, but research is active. For people at high genetic risk, surveillance programs can catch disease earlier and improve survival prospects.

Reliable resources

• National Cancer Institute (NCI) — stats and pancreatic early detection research.

• Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) — patient resources and high-risk surveillance info.

• U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) — official screening recommendations.

• CDC — Colorectal Cancer Screening — clear screening options and guidance.

• American Cancer Society — Breast cancer screening — patient-facing guidance on screening and high-risk care.

Closing

Do not delay screening for colorectal or breast cancer if you’re in the recommended group — it’s a proven life-saver. If you have a strong family history of pancreatic or other cancers, don’t accept “wait and see.” Ask for genetic counseling and evaluation at a specialized center. Early surveillance matters for high-risk people. If something feels off with your body, say it clearly to your doctor and ask what tests they recommend. Be persistent. You know your body; your voice matters. Remember. "Better safe than sorry!"

Psalm 103:2-3 “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.”