Cancer Screening Specialist

What is cancer screening?

Cancer is a serious disease that develops from the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. It’s the second leading cause of death in the world. 

Cancer screenings are one of the tools health providers use to find cancer during the early stages, which improves your chances of a full recovery. Many women benefit from routine screening for cervical and breast cancer. 

The highly skilled physicians at Atlanta Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates offer traditional cancer screenings, as well as heritage cancer screenings. 

What are the traditional types of cancer screenings?

Atlanta Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates performs many cancer screenings. Examples include:

Pap smear

During a pelvic exam, your provider collects cells from your cervix for the Pap smear. They send these cells to a lab to look for abnormalities and early signs of cervical cancer. 

Women should start Pap smears for cervical cancer screening at age 21.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) test

HPV is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that may increase your risk of developing cervical cancer. 

In addition to the Pap smear, the experts at Atlanta Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates may also perform an HPV test to assess your risk of developing cervical cancer. HPV tests for cancer screening usually start at age 30.

If your Pap smear and HPV test are negative, you may only need to repeat the cancer screenings every five years. 

Breast exam

Your provider at Atlanta Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates performs a breast exam at your annual well-woman visit. During the exam, they feel the breast tissue looking for signs of lumps or other abnormalities that may indicate breast cancer.

The team also recommends you conduct a monthly self-breast exam.

Mammogram

Starting around age 40, the team at Atlanta Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates may recommend adding a mammogram for breast cancer screening. A mammogram is an X-ray that helps find abnormalities in your breast tissue. 

What is heritage cancer screening?

Your genetics may place you at risk of developing breast or cervical cancer. To ensure you get the routine health screenings you need based on your risk factors, that team at Atlanta Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates offers heritage cancer screenings.

Heritage cancer screenings look for genetic mutations that may place you at risk of developing these types of cancer. For example, BRCA1 is known as the breast cancer gene. 

The team offers heritage cancer screening for women who were adopted or don’t know their family’s medical history. They can screen up to 80% of women for ovarian and breast cancer.

Cancer screening is an important preventive tool the team at Atlanta Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates uses to help you stay healthy. To schedule your screening, call the office closest to your or book an appointment online today.