Cancer Screenings & Prevention
Our team is here to guide you through recommended screenings that can detect cancer early, when treatment is most effective. With St. Bernards, you’re not just getting a test; you’re gaining the support of compassionate providers who put your well-being first. And if your results come back clear, you leave with more than peace of mind. You leave with confidence in your care.
Types of Cancer Screenings
At St. Bernards Healthcare, you have access to these tests in Northeast Arkansas:
- Breast cancer screenings – 3D mammograms with same-day results
- Cervical cancer screenings – Pap smear and a test for human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Colon cancer screenings – Colonoscopy and sometimes other tests that look for polyps (lumps) in the intestines
- Lung cancer screening – Computed tomography (CT) scan that uses a low dose of radiation and takes just a few minutes
- For lung screenings at Jonesboro, Wynne, Pocahontas and Walnut Ridge, you can contact our lung navigator at 870.207.8250 to schedule a screening.
- Prostate cancer screening (PSA testing) – Blood test that checks your prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and is available in Jonesboro and other locations
- Skin cancer screenings – Variety of options, including a visual check for moles and other spots of a certain size, shape, color or texture
What Screenings Do I Need?
Ask your primary care provider in Northeast Arkansas about the right cancer screening tests and frequency for you, based on your:
- Personal and family health history
- Age
- Sex
- Lifestyle
Your risk factors may change over time. Testing guidelines sometimes evolve, too, based on the latest research. Your primary care provider will help you stay up to date.
Cancer Prevention
HPV Vaccination
The HPV vaccine is a critical step in cancer prevention. According to the American Cancer Society, the vaccine helps prevent six types of cancer, including cervical, anal, oropharyngeal, penile, vulvar and vaginal cancers. By vaccinating children and young adults, we can significantly reduce the risk of these cancers developing later in life. If you or someone you care for is eligible, talk to your primary care provider about getting vaccinated today.
The truth about HPV:
- More than 37,000 people get HPV cancers in the United States every year.
- HPV is very common. Eight out of ten people will get HPV at some point in their lives.
- HPV vaccination can prevent more than 90% of HPV cancers when given at the recommended ages.
Reducing the Risk of Colon Cancer
Colon cancer can often be prevented through regular screenings, such as colonoscopies, which can detect and remove precancerous polyps. Maintaining a healthy diet high in fiber and low in red and processed meats, staying active and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol can also reduce the risk.
Know Your Risk Factors: Colon Cancer
Risk Factors:
- Family or personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps
- Personal history of abdominal or pelvic radiation
- Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (like ulcerative colitis or Crohn's)
- Lifestyle factors, like obesity, inactivity, poor diet, smoking and alcohol
- Certain less common inherited conditions, such as Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, cystic fibrosis, or others
If You’re Eligible, Get Screened.
Our society likes to say that 50 is the new 40, but that’s not true for colorectal cancer screenings. For years, the recommended screening age started at 50 for individuals with an average risk of disease. It’s now changed to 45, and it may be even lower if you have risk factors like a family or personal history of cancer or inflammatory bowel disease (like ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s). Make sure to have open, honest conversations with your primary care doctor about these risk factors. You’ll even find that screening options have expanded and improved beyond your grandparents’ colonoscopies. Remember, when it comes to colorectal cancer, 45 is the new 50.
Don’t Ignore Warning Signs
It’s easy to write off common conditions like chronic belly pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue or blood in the stool. In many cases, we can attribute their causes to something much less serious than colorectal cancer. Still, it’s often a slow-growing disease. The presence of any symptom that aligns with cancer warrants a discussion with your doctor.
Consider Lifestyle Changes
We can’t control genetics or family history, but we can control other risk factors that lead to colorectal cancer. Excess body weight, sedentary lifestyles, smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol can all increase our risk. Do your best to exercise regularly with an appropriate intensity while maintaining a diet that builds muscle but keeps off body fat. Finally, if you smoke, seek out a cessation plan, and if you drink alcohol, limit your consumption.
Protecting Your Skin from Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Limiting sun exposure, wearing sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection, and avoiding indoor tanning can significantly reduce your risk. Regular skin checks at home and by a dermatologist help catch changes early. Learn more about skin and sun care tips from a St. Bernards Dermatologist.
Preventing Lung Cancer
The number one way to prevent lung cancer is to avoid smoking or quit if you currently smoke. Exposure to secondhand smoke, radon and workplace carcinogens also increases risk. Resources and support are available to help individuals quit tobacco and create smoke-free environments.
Quick Questionnaires
Answer a few simple questions below to see if you’re a candidate for a breast cancer screening or lung cancer screening. If you qualify for a test, we’ll reach out to schedule an appointment.
Breast Cancer Screening
Lung Cancer Screening
