Small choices can make a big difference in your health. Whether it’s scheduling an annual mammogram or talking to a Helen G. Nassif Community Cancer Center of Iowa genetic counselor, cancer prevention and early detection significantly help decrease the risk and impact of a cancer diagnosis.
Cancer Risk Assessment Services
Understanding your family history is a powerful tool for making healthcare decisions today. That’s where our Cancer Risk Assessment Services come into the picture for your best health.This program provides counseling, genetic testing and surveillance to help you determine if you are at risk for breast, colon, ovarian or endometrial cancer. For more information e-mail us or call 319/558-4876.
Tobacco Cessation
Tobacco dependency is a chronic condition. The Nassif Community Cancer Center staff provide counseling and behavioral support to help individuals quit tobacco. With so many options available, we will help you determine the tobacco cessation plan that is best for you. We offer group programs as well as one-on-one support.
Mammograms
State-of-the-art technology, including digital mammography, is used to screen for and diagnose breast health issues. Digital mammography is the newest technology available for early breast cancer detection and has many benefits, including higher detection rates in some patients, fewer recalls and lower doses of radiation.
Colonscopies
If you’re 50 years old or older, you should get regular screenings for colon cancer. A colonoscopy allows your doctor to examine your entire colon and remove or biopsy abnormal growths if they’re found during the procedure.
Lung Check
The best chance of a cure for lung cancer is early detection. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women and is typically diagnosed at a more advanced stage after the cancer has spread. By making this test available, we can diagnose patients sooner for a faster recovery.
Prostate Exams
A rectal exam will often show an enlarged prostate with a hard, irregular surface.
A number of tests may be done to diagnose prostate cancer:
PSA test (may be high, although noncancerous enlargement of the prostate can also increase PSA levels)
Free PSA (may help tell the difference between BPH and prostate cancer)
AMACR (a newer test that is more sensitive than the PSA test for determining prostate cancer)
Urinalysis (may show blood in the urine)
Urine or prostatic fluid testing (may reveal unusual cells)
Prostate biopsy is the only test that can confirm the diagnosis.
The following tests may be done to determine whether the cancer has spread: