Cancer prevention & screenings

Your best defense against cancer is to prevent it from occurring, or catching it in its earliest and most treatable stage. At Advocate Health Care, we offer the education you need to stay on top of your health, plus a full range of preventive, peace-of-mind services.

Cancer screenings

Breast cancer: screening mammogram

Advocate recommends annual screening mammograms beginning at age 40 for all women, following the long-standing recommendation from the American College of Radiology. If you have a personal or family history of breast cancer, including the BRCA gene, talk to your doctor about getting screened earlier.

Advocate offers all-digital and 3D mammography, allowing our radiologists greater flexibility in reading images. If your results show anything suspicious, we offer stereotactic breast biopsy (SBB), a safer, minimally invasive alternative to surgical biopsy to help make a diagnosis. A sample of suspect breast tissue is precisely located with a computer-guided imaging system and removed with a needle. The procedure is completed on an outpatient basis with minimal discomfort and recovery time, and fast and accurate results.

Schedule your mammogram.

Colorectal cancer: colonoscopy

If you’re 45 or older, or have a family history of colorectal cancer, the most effective way to reduce your risk is to schedule a screening colonoscopy. This test searches for potentially cancerous polyps (abnormal cell growths on the inside lining of the colon or rectum). Catching these polyps early can stop them from ever becoming cancer, or detect the cancer when it’s highly curable. Lung cancer: low-dose CT scan

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Symptoms usually don’t appear until the disease has advanced, which is why a screening can play a crucial role in fighting this disease. Advocate offers low-dose CT scans, a groundbreaking new tool that can catch lung cancer earlier than ever.

During this simple test, an X-ray machine scans the entire body, using low doses of radiation to make detailed pictures of the lung. The scan provides incredibly detailed pictures to help our physicians detect even the smallest of tumors. It’s safe, painless and has proven to reduce the risk of lung cancer death by up to 20%.

Schedule your lung screening.

Prostate cancer screening

Advocate encourages men ages older than 50 to get annual prostate cancer screenings, which can help catch this common condition early, when it can be closely monitored or treated. African-American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer should be screened sooner, typically by age 40 or 45.

We offer routine screenings, including a prostate-screening antigen (PSA) blood test, which looks for elevated levels of a protein that may indicate signs of cancer. Your doctor may also perform a digital rectal exam (DRE) to check the prostate for any abnormalities.

Schedule your prostate screening.

Cervical cancer screening

A regular Pap test is one of the best steps you can take to prevent cervical cancer or detect it early. The Pap test looks for changes in the cervix that might lead to cancer. If it is detected early, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treated cancers.

To schedule an appointment, call 800-3-ADVOCATE or find a gynecologist online.

Endometrial (uterine) cancer screening

Periodic gynecologic evaluation is crucial for the early detection of uterine cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer, and strongly encouraged to report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. For women with or at high risk for hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC), annual screening should be offered for endometrial cancer with endometrial biopsy beginning at age 35.

To schedule an appointment, call 800-3-ADVOCATE or find a gynecologist online.

Online cancer risk assessments

Knowing and controlling your personal cancer risk factors can go a long way toward prevention. Start now with a fast and free online risk assessments, which include a printable report you can share with your doctor, recommended screenings and lifestyle tips you can use right away.

Take the assessments.

Cancer genetic risk assessment program

Knowing your cancer risk can make a positive difference in the lives of you and your loved ones. If you have a personal or family history of cancer, we encourage you to learn more. Advocate offers comprehensive genetic counseling and testing to help you understand your risk and options.

Learn more.