Cancer Screening

Timely screening for cancers may save your life. Detecting cancer early may increase the chances of finding it at a stage when it's curable and easier to treat. Click the links below to review the most current cancer screening recommendations.

Screening recommendations (English | Español)

You may also visit the American Cancer Society for more information.

Lung Cancer Screening

Why do we screen for lung cancer?

We screen for lung cancer because it's the leading cause of cancer death in the United States¹. It kills more people each year than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined.1 Lung cancer can be treated if diagnosed early.

Mary Lanning Healthcare offers a lung cancer screening program. Patients who meet the criteria for lung cancer screening can receive a quick imaging test called, low-dose chest CAT/CT scan.

While you could be screened anywhere that performs the low-dose chest CT scan; if done at Mary Lanning Healthcare facilities your imaging exam is tracked through our lung cancer screening program to help ensure timely follow-up imaging is offered in coordination with your provider.

If you are between the ages of 50-80 and have one of the following risk factors contact your provider to determine if a Low Dose Lung CT Scan (LDCT) is right for you.

• Currently smoke or used to smoke AND
• Have at least a 20 pack-year history of smoking

Want to learn more about detecting lung cancer? Visit the American Cancer Society

¹Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2024, American Cancer Society (ACS), Atlanta, Georgia, 2024.

Colon Cancer Screening

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of death in young adults. One in five colon cancer patients are diagnosed before age 54. 49% of young-onset colorectal patients are 43-49 years old.

Common symptoms

• Blood in your stool
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Feeling bloated
• Low back pain
• Change in bowel habits
• Persistent cramps
• Anemia

The type of colorectal cancer screening you need will depend on your risk. If you have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer, you should work with your provider to create an individualized screening plan. If you’re experiencing any signs of colorectal cancer, this may also influence your screening options.

While over 90% of colon and rectal cancers are found in people over age 50, anyone at any age can get colorectal cancer. All adults—starting at age 45 or before—should talk to their provider about screening for polyps and cancer.

Anyone experiencing signs and symptoms of colon cancer (at any age) should be evaluated. Screening should follow regular intervals through age 75, and people over that age should talk to their provider about whether screening is necessary.

Want to learn more about detecting colorectal cancer? Visit the American Cancer Society