Pancreatic Cancer Screening

Introduction

In this article, you’ll learn about the routine screening recommendations for pancreatic cancer and thyroid cancer, along with the recommendations for smoking cessation counseling.

Pancreatic Cancer Screening Recommendations

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most invasive types of cancer, resulting in many deaths. Pancreatic cancer is usually found when it is in advanced stages, making the prognosis for patients with this type of cancer very poor. Several types of screening tools can be used to diagnose pancreatic cancer, including ultrasound, palpation of the abdomen, and blood testing. However, these tests have not been shown to help reduce mortality rates, so the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends against routine pancreatic cancer screening for people who exhibit no symptoms of the cancer.

Thyroid Cancer Screening Recommendations

Thyroid cancer has a low rate of incidence in the United States, occurring in about four out of every 100,000 people. Typical screening methods for thyroid cancer include ultrasound of the neck and palpation of the neck, as thyroid cancer often presents with the presence of nodules or lumps. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is currently updating their original recommendation regarding routine screening for thyroid cancer, as the information used to create the original recommendation may no longer be correct. The new recommendation will take into account the benefits of routine screening, the risks of the screening procedures, and the impact of screening on mortality rates and other indicators.

Smoking Cessation Counseling Recommendations

The recommendations for smoking cessation counseling depend on the age of the person being counseled. The task force found no evidence that smoking cessation counseling is beneficial for children and adolescents. However, the task force strongly recommends that smoking cessation counseling be discussed with adult patients and all pregnant women. This would involve the medical provider determining if the patient is a tobacco user, and then suggesting smoking cessation products or counseling as a treatment. These recommendations are in place because of the great risk of oral and lung cancers associated with smoking, along with the effects of tobacco on the heart.

Now that you are aware of the routine screening recommendations for major types of cancer, talk with your doctor about your risks and schedule any necessary screening. Those screening procedures that are recommended may help you detect cancer earlier and have a better chance of recovering fully.