The C.R. Wood Cancer Center at Glens Falls Hospital provides a wide array of cancer screenings at locations across the region:
Breast Cancer Screening
Glens Falls Hospital provides breast screening aboard our mobile mammography coach and at the Glens Falls Hospital Breast Center and Greenwich Regional Medical Center.
Glens Falls Hospital administers a New York State Department of Health program that provides free breast, cervical and colorectal screenings to women 40 to 64 years of age who do not have health insurance coverage.
For more information, please call 1-800-882-0121 or (518) 926-6570.
Breast Cancer Facts
Excluding cancers of the skin, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Despite our best efforts, breast cancer will continue to strike one of every eight American women in their lifetimes.
Thanks to early detection and treatment programs, impressive changes have occurred in the quality and length of life of women who have been diagnosed. With early detection, a 97-percent cure rate has been achieved.
Through extensive study, physicians have also identified certain groups that seem to be at higher risk for breast cancer, including:
- women with a personal or family history of breast cancer
- women who are post-menopausal or have never been pregnant
- women who had their first full-term pregnancy after the age 30.
It has also been determined that 75 percent of all breast cancers occur in women over age 70.
Early Detection Recommendations
The American Cancer Society recommends a combination of the following three tools for the early detection of breast cancer:
- Clinical Breast Exam
- Women age 20-39: Breast exam by a health care provider as part of their regular health visits.
- Women over age 40: Breast exam by a health care provider yearly
- Mammography
- Women age 40 and over should receive an annual mammogram
- For women with a personal or family history of breast cancer, mammography may be advised at an earlier age
- Prevention
- Reduce risks by:
- engaging in regular physical activity
- maintaining a healthy weight
- reducing alcohol intake
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Cervical Cancer Screening
Glens Falls Hospital administers a New York State Department of Health program that provides free cervical, breast and colorectal cancer screenings to women 40 to 64 years of age who do not have health insurance coverage.
For more information, please call 1-800-882-0121 or (518) 926-6570.
Cervical Cancer Facts
Approximately 13,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year and about 7,000 women die from this disease annually. Although the five-year survival rate is about 90% for persons with localized cervical cancer, it is considerably lower (about 40%) for persons with advanced disease. The incidence of invasive cervical cancer has decreased significantly over the past 40 years, due in large part to early detection programs.
Factors associated with increased risk of developing cervical cancer and precancerous conditions include sexual activity at an early age, multiple sexual partners and infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus, which can be transmitted during sexual contact, is known to increase the risk of cervical cancer. Regular screening by Pap test has reduced the death rate from cervical cancer by discovering precancerous changes and cervical cancer at an early stage.
Early Detection Recommendations
- Pap Test – All women who are or have been sexually active, or who have reached age 21, should have a Pap test. After three consecutive normal Pap tests, the Pap test may be performed less frequently.
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Prostate Cancer Awareness Program
No screenings being done.
Prostate Cancer Facts
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in American men, and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men. The risk increases with age with most men being diagnosed in their sixth decade of life. The key to surviving prostate cancer is early detection through routine screening. The death rate for prostate cancer is going down and the disease is being found earlier as well.
Early Detection Recommendations
The American Cancer Society and The American Urological Association recommend that men 50 years of age and older be screened yearly for prostate cancer. This screening should include:
- a digital rectal examination
- a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test
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Skin Cancer Awareness Program
Glens Falls Hospital participates with the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Cancer Society for a yearly skin cancer screening clinic held in May.
Skin Cancer Facts
Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. Nearly one million cases of skin cancer occur in this country each year, most often among older fair-skinned people.
Most skin cancers are either the basal cell or squamous cell type. These types of cancer tend to grow slowly, spread little, and may be cured.
Malignant melanoma is a much more serious form of skin cancer and is more likely to spread to other parts of the body. It was once rare in this country, but its rate is increasing faster than any other type of cancer – 4% every year. If melanoma is detected in its early stages, before it has spread, it is almost 100% curable.
The main cause of skin cancer is overexposure to sunlight. Fair-skinned people, especially those with red or blond hair, are at greatest risk. People who work outdoors, such as farmers and construction workers, and those who go boating often, participate in many outdoor sports, or sunbathe, are also increased risk.
Children or teenagers who suffer severe, blistering sunburns are more likely to develop melanoma later in life. The presence of certain moles also makes it more likely that a person will develop melanoma.
The best hope for the future lies in the prevention and early detection of skin cancers. Most skin cancers can be prevented by avoiding unprotected exposure to the sun or tanning booths. Any unusual spots on the skin, especially any that change in size or color, should be checked by a physician.
Early Detection Recommendations
The American Cancer Society recommends the following measures to help guard against skin cancer:
- Try to avoid the sun when its rays are strongest (10a.m.- 4p.m. ). Remember, the time of year, your proximity to the equator, and altitude are all factors in the intensity of the sun's rays.
- Wear clothing that covers up as much of your skin as possible, including a broad-brimmed hat.
- Use a sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher on exposed areas of skin.
- Do not use sunlamps or visit tanning parlors or salons. Whether a tan is achieved by artificial means or by natural sunlight, the ultraviolet dose adds to the total lifetime accumulation of UV and to the risk of skin cancer.
- Have your health care provider check any unusual blemish, mole, or other marking on the skin, especially one that is new or one that changes in size, color, or shape.
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Colorectal Cancer Screening
Glens Falls Hospital administers a New York State Department of Health grant to provide colorectal cancer screening tests to people who do not have health insurance coverage who are at average risk starting at age 50. For more information, please call 1-800-882-0121.
Colorectal Cancer Facts
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. There are approximately 150,000 new cases and 60,000 deaths in the United States each year. The disease affects males and females equally. Colorectal cancer is exceeded only by lung and breast cancer in women and lung and prostate cancer in men. With early detection and treatment while in the localized stage, the five-year survival rate for colon cancer is 90%, and approximately 80% for rectal cancer.
Colorectal cancers are believed to develop in part from precancerous polyps. 93% of colorectal cancers develop from adenomatous polyps; on average it will take a 1 centimeter adenoma 7 years to progress to invasive cancer. 94% of colorectal cancers are diagnosed in people over age 50. A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, and inflammatory bowel disease, have been associated with increased colorectal cancer risk. Other possible risk factors include physical inactivity, high-fat and/or low-fiber diet, as well as inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables.
Ideally, screening procedures will result in detection and removal of precancerous or early malignant lesions before they develop into invasive cancers. Early detection is the key to long term survival. Talk to your physician about screening for colon cancer.
Early Detection Recommendations
The American Cancer Society recommends the following early detection program:
- Annual Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) or Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)for men and women age 50 and over
OR
- Yearly stool blood tests plus Sigmoidoscopy (preferably flexible) every five years
OR
- Colonscopy every 10 years
OR
- Double-contrast barium enema every five years
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