If you do not have a primary care physician, you may not be up to date with all of your cancer screenings. Here is an overview of age-appropriate cancer screening recommendations.

Some individuals can benefit from more frequent screening. These factors may increase your risk and qualify you for more frequent skin cancer screening:

• History suggesting a familial melanoma syndrome
• Multiple irregular moles (atypical nevi)
• White men over 50 years
• Individuals with a history of significant sunburn

It may also be helpful to get into the habit of routinely checking your skin for changes and notifying your doctor if you notice any changes.

This one is less straightforward currently.

Individual patient preferences for specific health outcomes are a deciding factor in determining whether to screen for prostate cancer. Men who are potential candidates for screening should be engaged in discussions or decision-making processes that inform them and evoke these preferences. There are many types of prostate cancer. Some of them are so slowly progressive and may never lead to a significant threat. On the other extreme, some are so aggressive that screening may not even pick them up before it is too late. There are other types, however, that can be treated early on when they are found and can lead to better health outcomes. Discussing the risks (emotional, physical and financial) or such screening Vs the benefits is an excellent topic to bring up with your doctor to have an informed decision.

Patients who are age 55 to 74 years with a history of smoking at least 30 pack-years and, if a former smoker, have quit within the previous 15 years may benefit annual screening with low-dose helical computed tomography (CT). This scan may detect lung cancer at early stages for more effective treatment.

The recommendations for this cancer screening depend on risk factors.

Patients with no risk factors: aged 50 and older be screened for colorectal cancer. We suggest that screening be continued until the life expectancy for an individual patient is estimated as less than 10 years. For most patients, it is reasonable to stop screening at age 75 years or 85 years at the latest. One-time screening with colonoscopy (to age 83) or sigmoidoscopy (to age 84) is advised for adults who have never been screened for colorectal cancer. The frequency of screenings after that depends on the findings. There are many screening options beside colonoscopies with different risks and benefits. Make sure that your conversation includes weighing factors of effectiveness, safety, cost, and availability of the screening tests.

Your screening recommendations vary if you have family history of colorectal cancer, familial adenomatous polyposis, Lynch syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome or Inflammatory bowel disease.

The recommendations for anal pap smears depend on your HIV status. HIV positive men should have more frequent anal cancer screening starting at the age of 25. If you are HIV-negative, you can still benefit from screening. Younger HIV-negative men (under 40) are more likely to find minor changes that may not lead to rectal cancer. Having a conversation about the effectiveness of the available screening tools would be wise before you start getting the anal paps regularly.

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The Osra Medical blog is published by Osra Medical, a private primary care practice with a focus on gay and bisexual men’s health.

Any general advice posted on our blog or website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or substitute for any medical or other advice. Osra Medical INC and the authors make no representations or warranties and expressly disclaim any and all liability concerning any treatment, action by, or effect on any person following the general information offered or provided within or through the blog or website. If you have specific concerns or a situation arises in which you require medical advice, you should consult with an appropriately trained and qualified medical services provider directly.