Baptist Health South Florida

Miami Cancer Institute

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Cancer Prevention & Screening

Research shows that following recommended cancer screening guidelines helps reduce the risk of dying from cancer and, in some cases, lowers your risk of developing it in the first place.

Recommended screenings through the years

Cancer screenings can find cancer or abnormal cells before symptoms begin, when treatment is most effective. Screenings may include a physical exam, a review of your medical history, laboratory tests, imaging tests and genetic counseling and testing. Miami Cancer Institute offers cancer screenings, following the guidelines of leading medical groups, and considers higher risks for people with personal or family histories.

We offer the following cancer screenings and recommend talking with your doctor about when you should begin regular screenings.

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Pap & HPV Test

Women ages 21-29 should get a Pap smear every three years. Women ages 30-65 should have an HPV test every five years, a Pap test every three years or a combination of every five years. Women over age 65 who have had regular cervical cancer testing in the past 10 years with normal results may forgo testing.
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Mammogram

Recommended annual screening starting at age 40. Begin earlier if there is a family history of breast cancer.
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Colorectal Cancer Screening

Average risk individual should begin screening at age 50, with follow-up on findings. Those at an increased risk (ex. African American/black, or have a family history of colon cancer) should start screening earlier and be tested more often.
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Lung Cancer Screening

For those 55-80 years old, screening is recommended for current smokers and those with heavy smoking history.
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Prostate Exam

Men ages 55-69 should have a conversation with their doctor about the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening. Begin earlier if you are African American/black or have a family history of prostate cancer.
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Mole & Skin Checks

According to American Cancer Society, exams by your doctors and checking your own skin frequently can help find many skin cancers early, when they are easier to treat. Regular skin exams are especially important for people who are at a higher risk for skin cancer. Talk to your doctor about how often you should have your skin examined.

Mammograms for Breast Cancer

Miami Cancer Institute recommends that women at average risk for breast cancer should begin annual mammograms at age 40. Baptist Health South Florida offers digital screening mammograms at locations throughout South Florida. Digital mammography allows radiologists to enhance breast images and allow them to detect cancer at earlier stages.

Clinical Breast Exam

We recommend an annual clinical breast exam for all women beginning with menstruation. This test involves a doctor examining your breasts by hand to feel for any lumps or abnormalities. This is in addition to the recommended monthly self-exam to check for hardening, indentations, lumps or other abnormalities

Prostate Cancer Screenings

Prostate cancer often grows slowly but can be deadly if not treated early. Men between the ages of 55 and 69 should talk to their doctors about the benefits and risks of prostate cancer screening tests, such as the digital rectal exam and prostate-specific antigen test, also called a PSA blood test.

  • 40

    Women should get an annual screening mammogram starting at age 40.

  • 1 in 16

    Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime.

  • 50 million

    Approximately 50 million Pap smears are performed each year in the U.S.
Skin Cancer Screening

Skin Cancer Screening

Miami Cancer Institute's Multidisciplinary Skin Cancer Clinic specialists and dermatologists recommend regular skin exams for people who have a personal or family history of skin cancer or certain conditions that increase their risk for skin cancer.  The Clinic offers 3D VECTRA Imaging, which maps 360 degrees of the skin without radiation and allows the doctors to detect changes over time.  Specialists also use Reflectance Confocal Microscopy (RCM), an imaging technique that uses a low-power laser, without radiation or harm to the skin, to determine whether a skin lesion needs to be biopsied.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Several options exist for colorectal cancer screenings. Generally, adults between the ages of 45 and 75 at average risk, without a family history or condition that increases their risk, should be screened for colorectal cancer using one of the following screening options:
  • High-sensitivity fecal occult blood test every 1-2 years.
  • Stool DNA test every 3 years.
  • Colonoscopy every 10 years.
  • Computed tomography colonography, commonly called a virtual colonoscopy, every 5 years.
  • Sigmoidoscopy every 3-5 years.

Lung Cancer Screening

For patients at high risk for developing lung cancer. Baptist Health South Florida offers a low-dose CT lung screening that can detect lung cancer in its early stages. This screening is available annually for individuals who:
  • Are 55 to 80 years old.
  • Currently smoke or who have quit smoking within the last 15 years.
  • Have a smoking history of 30-pack years or greater [one pack a day for 30 years or two packs a day for 15 years. etc.]
  • Have a doctor's prescription.

Breast Cancer Genetics and Prevention Clinic

People at high risk for breast cancer because of a known genetic mutation, strong family history or who are of Ashkenazi Jewish decent may benefit from active surveillance through our Breast Cancer Genetics and Prevention Clinic.

The American Cancer Society estimates that more than half of all cancer deaths and many cancer cases could be prevented if people had routine check-ups and screenings, adopted a healthy lifestyle and knew the early signs of cancer.

 

Pap Tests for Cervical Cancer

Women should have their first Pap smear to test for cervical cancer at age 21. With a normal test result, the next recommended Pap smear is three years. At age 30, women may choose a Pap smear every three years with an HPV test every five years. or both a Pap smear and HPV test every five years. At age 65, women with consecutive normal test results or who have had a total hysterectomy for a noncancerous condition may no longer need to be screened for cervical cancer.

Endometrial Cancer Screening

Women with Lynch Syndrome or who have a family history of the disorder, also called hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, should have a transvaginal ultrasound every year to test for endometrial cancer.

Liver Cancer Screening

People with a high risk for liver cancer due to chronic hepatitis B or cirrhosis may benefit from a liver ultrasound and alpha-fetoprotein blood tests every 6 to 12 months.

Ovarian Cancer Screening

Ovarian Cancer Screening

Women who are at high risk for ovarian cancer due to BRCA mutations, a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or Lynch syndrome may benefit from a transvaginal ultrasound and CA-125 blood test every 6 to 12 months.

Have questions? We're here to help.