“I often hear patients say they felt fine, they did not have any symptoms of cancer, and so they saw no need to see their doctor, have the recommended screenings, and worry too much about the lifestyle they were living,” says Noah Goldman, MD, Medical Director of Cancer Programs at Penn Medicine Princeton Health. “The reality is, once symptoms start to appear your cancer may be advanced, so that is really not a good approach to your health. Seeing your doctor and following their advice, as well as reporting any changes in your health to them, is extremely important.”
Understanding the Recommendations
Many forms of cancer can develop as a result of an unhealthy lifestyle, including gastrointestinal cancers, gynecologic cancers, and lung cancer, as well as others. Making lifestyle changes can help reduce your chances of developing cancer.
Dr. Goldman, who is board certified in gynecologic cancer, recommends the following:
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Stay physically active.
- Focus on a healthy diet.
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol use.
In addition to living a healthy lifestyle, staying on top of recommended cancer screenings is important.
“When cancer is caught early, or in a precancerous stage, the overwhelming majority of these are cured,” says Dr. Goldman. “In cases where surgery or other treatment is needed, it can be much less extensive and recovery can be easier. The financial cost can also be much less; if the patient has out-of-pocket expenses, they are far lower if the treatment takes place at an early stage.”
Recommended screenings include annual Pap tests and mammograms for women; annual PSA tests for men; colonoscopies at intervals recommended based on family history and prior test results; and low-dose CT scans for smokers or former smokers who meet certain requirements.
To find a physician on the Medical Staff of Princeton Health, call 888.742.7496, or visit princetonhcs.org.
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