Cancer Detection

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer screening means checking a woman's breasts for cancer before there are signs or symptoms of the disease.

During your appointment a doctor or a nurse will do a clinical breast exam to screen for breast cancer, and talk to you about which tests are right for you and when you should have them. If they think you need more testing, we will send you to another company in Fremont, Hayward, or Oakland for the test.

There are 3 main tests to screen for breast cancer:

  1. Mammogram A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. Mammograms are the best method to detect breast cancer early.
  2. Clinical breast exam A clinical breast exam is an examination by a doctor or nurse, who uses his or her hands to feel for lumps or other changes.
  3. Breast self-exam A breast self-exam is when you check your own breasts for lumps, changes in size or shape of the breast, or any other changes in the breasts or underarm (armpit).

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer screening means checking a woman's cervix for cancer before there are signs or symptoms of the disease.

During your appointment a doctor or a nurse will do a pap test to screen for cervical cancer. Once the test is processed by the lab we will call or send you a letter to give you your results.

There are 2 main tests to screen for cervical cancer:

  1. The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancers, cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately. The Pap test is recommended for all women, and can be done in a doctor's office or clinic.
  2. The HPV test looks for the virus that can cause cancer. the HPV test may be used for screening women aged 30 years and older, or women of any age who have unclear Pap test results.

You should start having a regular Pap tests at age 21, or within three years of the first time you have sex—which ever happens first.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer screening means checking a man’s prostate for cancer before there are signs or symptoms of the disease.

During your appointment a doctor or a nurse will talk with you about what you should do if you are worried about prostate cancer.