METAIRIE, LA – Ochsner Health System is hosting a Cancer Services Expo on Friday, Aug. 4 and Saturday, Aug. 5, at Clearview Mall, 4436 Veterans Blvd., from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., offering free on-site screenings and services including:
• Blood Pressure
• Cholesterol Levels
• Glucose*
• Head & Neck**
• Nurse Consultation
**Available Saturday only
*Fasting recommended but not required
Ochsner staff and nurse consultants will also be available to discuss:
• Breast Health
• Colon Rectal
• Nutrition
• Pediatric Oncology
• Smoking Cessation
• Survivorship
• Urology Oncology
Ahead of this expo, Dr. John T. Cole from Ochsner Cancer Institute is advising on cancer screenings that are important for women. According to the American Cancer Society, there are five cancer screenings that every woman should have.
• Breast Cancer
Starting at age 40, all women should have an annual mammogram to check for breast cancer. Some woman may want to be screened earlier depending on family or medical history. Some healthcare providers even have the option to have a mammogram in 3D.
Women should also be doing routine self-exams at home to familiarize themselves with how their breasts look and feel. Always let your healthcare provider know if you ever notice any change in your breast.
• Colon Cancer
Women should begin getting screenings for colon cancer at age 50 or earlier depending on their family and medical history. There are many different tests that can detect colon and rectal cancer, including at home options.
The tests are looking for polyps, which can turn into cancer. Some of the tests include stool DNA test, colonoscopy or fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and fecal immunochemical test (FIT). You should speak with your doctor to discuss which test would be good for you.
• Cervical Cancer
The cervix is the lower part of the uterus. Women should begin screening for cervical cancer at age 21. You should also have a Pap test every 3-5 years and an HPV test. This can help find cervical cell changes before they become cancer.
If you have had the HPV vaccine, you should still have routine tests. Women with a higher risk for cervical cancer may need to be screened more often. Most women will not have any symptoms so it is important to have routine screenings.
• Lung Cancer
Any woman ages 55-75 that is currently a smoker or was a heavy smoker should speak with their doctor about if a CT scan is right for them. There are usually no symptoms from lung cancer until after the cancer has advanced. This is why it is important to get screened so it can be caught early.
• Skin Cancer
You should always be familiar with all moles and spots on your skin. If you notice any changes, you should talk with your doctor right away. Have a skin exam during your regular visits.
Ochsner Health System is Louisiana’s largest nonprofit, academic, healthcare system, reps said. Driven by a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate, coordinated clinical and hospital patient care is provided across the region by Ochsner's 29 owned, managed and affiliated hospitals and more than 80 health centers and urgent care centers. Ochsner is the only Louisiana hospital recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a “Best Hospital” across three specialty categories caring for patients from all 50 states and more than 80 countries worldwide each year. Ochsner employs more than 18,000 employees and over 1,100 physicians in over 90 medical specialties and subspecialties, and conducts more than 600 clinical research studies.
