Proactive Care For A Healthy Future
Cancer screening plays a critical role in detecting disease at its earliest and most treatable stages. For some cancers, including ovarian and pancreatic cancer, early detection can significantly impact treatment options and outcomes.
ThedaCare provides proactive screening and preventive care designed to support early diagnosis, timely treatment, and better long-term health outcomes.
Cancer Screening and Early Detection
Learn what to expect during cancer screening and diagnosis, from testing and results to your next steps in care.
Cancer Screening
Screening typically begins with regular visits to your primary care provider. Depending on your age, risk factors and symptoms, you may receive routine preventive screenings such as mammograms, prostate exams or other recommended tests.
If symptoms arise or an abnormality is detected, your provider may recommend additional diagnostic testing. Screenings may be performed by your primary care provider, a specialist or trained medical technician, with results interpreted by your care team.
If imaging or exam results raise concern, a biopsy may be recommended for further evaluation.
Learn when to get a screening. View American Cancer Society screening guidelines
Biopsy
A biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure that involves taking a small sample of tissue from a tumor or potentially cancerous area. During the procedure, patients are partially or completely sedated to minimize pain.
We schedule these tests as soon as possible, so you don’t have to wait anxiously. In fact, we often can do a screening and biopsy on the same day, if that’s your preference.
Diagnosis and Staging
The results of your biopsy will determine if your tumor is benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). If your tumor is cancerous, we’ll need to do further testing to determine the stage. This may involve an MRI, PET scan, or CT scan, which take internal images of your entire body or parts of your body. This imaging is not painful.
We’ll then determine the stage of your cancer. There are four stages of cancer—Stage 1 is the most treatable, while Stage 4 is the most difficult to cure, often because the cancer may have spread to other areas of your body.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
It can come as a shock to hear that you have cancer, especially if you feel healthy. Even though you might be worried and scared, rest assured that your care team — all the doctors who have worked with you so far, and those who will work with you moving forward — will develop a treatment plan to help you tackle your disease.
Your care team will discuss treatment options, give recommendations, and provide educational materials so you and your family can make an informed decision on next steps. You’ll also have the opportunity to receive counseling and get valuable emotional support from a Behavioral Health Specialist. Our staff is specially trained to help you cope with the anxieties and fears that can accompany a cancer diagnosis. They are an important part of your health care team and will help guide you in your treatment journey.
Reducing Your Cancer Risk
While not all cancers are preventable, healthy lifestyle choices can reduce your risk. Recommended preventive measures include:
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Avoiding tanning beds
- Eating a balanced, nutritious diet
- Staying physically active
- Maintaining a healthy body weight
- Avoiding tobacco use
- Using sun protection outdoors
Colonoscopy Screening
A colonoscopy is one of the most effective tools for detecting and preventing colorectal cancer. It allows your provider to examine the colon and rectum for early signs of cancer or precancerous growths, often before symptoms appear.
