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Cancer Screenings

Throughout the year, the Lawrence General Hospital Cancer Program works collaboratively with local community physicians to provide screening and prevention programs such as breast, skin, prostate, and oral cancer screenings. For more information on these and other programs, please call 978-946-8250.

Breast Cancer

  • Symptoms of breast cancer: lump in the breast, bloody discharge from the nipple and changes in the shape or texture of the nipple or breast
  • Recommended for woman over the age of 40.. could be performed annually or biennially 
  • October is Breast Cancer Awareness month
  • Screening= mammography, ultrasonography and MRI
  • 5 Year relative survival rate is 90% (Cancer.org)
  • Treatment: surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, etc (cdc.gov)
  • Risk Factors: Family history of breast cancer, not being physically active, being overweight/obese after menopause, taking hormones, reproductive history and drinking alcohol (cdc.gov)

Colorectal cancer

  • Screening: fetal occult blood test, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy and DNA stool test
  • Recommended for adults between the ages of 50 and 75
  • Treatment: Surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, etc.
  • Risk factors: Family history, inflammatory bowel disease, lack of regular physical activity, a diet low in fruit and vegetables, a low-fiber and high-fat diet in processed meats, overweight, obesity, alcohol consumption and tobacco use.

Lung Cancer

  • Symptoms of lung cancer: a new cough that doesn’t go away, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, chest pain, hoarseness, bone pain, headache, respiratory infections, wheezing and more. 
  • ACR guidelines for lung cancer screening: 30 pack year smoking history, current smokers or smokers who have quit within the past 15 years, receive counseling to quit smoking if they are current smokers and have to be between the age of 55 to 74
  • Annual scan
  • Screening: Low dose CT scan