Cancer Screenings & Risk | Southeast PA

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Signs and Symptoms of Cancer

There are some general signs of cancer but having any of these does not mean you have cancer. If you have any of these signs over a long time, please talk to your doctor.

Changes in bowel
Cough that doesn't go away
Fatigue that does not get better with rest
Fever
Pain or a headache that does not go away or get better with treatment
Skin changes including darker-looking skin, yellowish skin or eyes, or reddened skin
Thickening or lump in the breast or other body areas
Trouble swallowing
Unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more
Unusual bleeding or discharge

At McGlinn Cancer Institute, we use screening and risk assessment tests to find cancer before symptoms appear or to determine your risk for certain cancers. And, if you face a cancer diagnosis, we help you understand the genetics behind it.

Cancer screenings to uncover precancerous and cancerous conditions.

Cancer screenings are used to uncover certain types of cancer, including breast, cervical, colon, and lung cancer. Regular screenings may find cancer early, which is when treatment often works best. If you have an abnormal test result, more tests are likely needed to determine whether cancer is present.

Certain cancers currently do not have reliable screening tests. These include ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, or thyroid cancer. Talk to your primary care doctor about regular screenings and your risk for cancer.

Cancer Screenings and Services

Colonoscopy. This screening can view the entire colon and rectum and detect abnormal tissue, such as polyps. During the test, the doctor can take tissue samples (biopsies) if any abnormalities are present.
Low-Dose CT. (Also called a low-dose CT scan.) This imaging test is for people with a high risk of lung cancer but who have no symptoms. It uses low-dose computed tomography to detect cancer.
Mammography. This screening takes an X-ray picture of the breasts and is used to identify early signs of breast cancer.
Oral screening. A doctor or dentist looks inside your mouth and also feels the tissues there to check for lumps or other abnormalities.
PAP test. This test is used to find abnormal cells in the cervix. It can find cervical cancer early, when the chance of being cured is very high.
PSA test. This blood test is used to screen for prostate cancer and measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood.
Skin screening. This is a visual exam of the skin. It looks for moles, birthmarks, or other marks that are unusual in color, size, shape, or texture.

Cancer Risk Assessments and Genetic Testing

Cancer is caused by certain changes to genes that control how our cells grow and divide. Some genetic changes that impact cancer can be passed down within a family (inherited). This can increase the risk of developing certain cancers. Knowing about an inherited genetic change and your risk for cancer allows you and your providers to be proactive and to perform additional cancer screening. If you have cancer, this information can also help make decisions about your treatment.

Equipped with genetic counselors and a nurse practitioner, McGlinn Cancer Institute has more than 25 years of combined experience in cancer genetics. Our team of genetic experts determine which patients would benefit from genetic testing. Some factors that are considered include:

Young age of diagnosis (under 50)
Individuals with breast cancer, colon cancer, or prostate cancer
Rare cancers such as pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, or male breast cancer
Three relatives on the same side of the family with cancer
Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry

Our team reviews your personal and family history and meets with you to provide education about genetic testing and risk factors for cancer. We help you decide if genetic testing is right for you. If you choose to have genetic testing, a blood or saliva sample is collected during your appointment. When your results are available, we review them with you and develop a personalized screening plan based on your risk factors.

High Risk Cancer Clinic

Learning that you have a high risk for cancer can be distressing. McGlinn Cancer Institute’s High Risk Cancer Clinic is a special clinic for monitoring patients that have a higher risk for cancer. We have the only certified cancer genetic risk assessment nurse practitioner in Pennsylvania, with specialized training to help you stay up to date with the latest recommendations for cancer screening and options for cancer risk reduction. Resources are available for patients and families that have a higher risk for cancer. We will help connect you with other specialists if they are needed.

Breast cancer patient speaking with her doctor

Breast Cancer Care

Thanks to advances in early detection and treatment, there are now more breast cancer survivors than ever before. Learn how our specialists work together to screen for, diagnose, and help you overcome breast cancer.

Gynecologic Cancer Care

If you’re concerned about your reproductive organs, including the cervix, ovaries, or uterus, talk to your gynecologist. Gynecologic cancer can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Our gynecologic oncologists specialize in treating cancer of the women’s reproductive system.

Lung, Chest, and Esophageal Cancers

At McGlinn Cancer Institute, we have a team of expert medical, radiation, and surgical oncologists, as well as thoracic (lung and chest) surgeons, pulmonologists, and gastroenterologists, all working together to provide seamless, personalized care.

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1-833-34-TOWER