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CANCER - SCREENING METHODS i
Problem Patients Procedure Evidence of benefit Screening interval Additional comments
Breast cancer Women 50-70 yrs Mammography ↓ breast cancer mortality 1-3 years Target age group should include at least the age range 30 to 59 years.
Longer screening interval if prior screening tests repeatedly negative
Cervical cancer Sexually active women Papanicolau test ↓ cervical cancer mortality 1-3 years If Pap test abnormal, anoscopy
Anal cancer Homosexual men Digital rectal exam ± Papanicolau test Unknown - advocated by some experts 1-3 years Benefit is marginal
Colorectal cancer Persons 50-75 yrs Fecal Occult Blood test ↓ colorectal cancer mortality 1-3 years Pros: ↑ early diagnosis
Cons: Overtreatment, no ↓ cancer-related mortality
Prostate cancer Men >50 yrs Digital rectal exam ± Prostate specific antigen (PSA) Controversial 1-3 years  
i Screening recommendations derived from the general population. These screenings should preferably be done as part of national general population-screening programs. Although non-Hodgkin lymphoma has a higher incidence in HIV-infected patients than in the general population, it is currently unknown whether it can be screened.
Careful examination of skin should be performed regularly to detect cancers such as Kaposi’s sarcoma, basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma.