Prevention and Early Detection of Cancer

Breast cancer

Women between the ages of 45 and 70 have the highest risk of developing breast cancer. Therefore, breast cancer screening is particularly important in this age group. The aim of screening programs is to detect breast cancer at an early stage - when it is not yet invasive and not forming metastases - because at this stage it can be treated well and gentler therapies and breast-conserving surgery can be applied.

In Austria, breast examinations are subject to comprehensive quality assurance. For each mammography, the diagnosis is made independently by 2 radiologists according to the four-eyes principle.

In the private hospitals of the PremiqaMed Group, tomosynthesis (3D mammography) is used for screening and diagnostics, which provides significantly more accurate results than conventional mammography.

Recommended examinations:

• Monthly breast self-examination
• Mammography every 2 years from the age of 40

Colon cancer screening

International data clearly shows that colon cancer screening programs for women and men over the age of 50 in the form of a colonoscopy can save lives and avoid stressful and expensive therapies.

The colonoscopy is considered the "gold standard" in early detection of colon cancer. It is used for cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis and therapy all in one: If an intestinal polyp is discovered, it can in most cases be removed immediately, thus preventing the development of intestinal cancer.

Recommended examinations:

• Occult test: test for hidden blood in the stool annually from the age of 40
• Colonoscopy: from the age of 50 every 7 – 10 years

Prostate cancer

The check-up for early detection of the most common cancer in men, prostate cancer, includes the digital rectal examination (palpation), the PSA determination (laboratory examination) and an ultrasound examination.

In the early stages, when the disease is usually easily treatable, prostate cancer shows no symptoms. It is therefore important that men over the age of 45 go to a urologist for prostate cancer screening.

Recommended examinations:

• Palpation, ultrasound examinations at the urologist every 2 years
• Laboratory test: PSA determination

Cervical cancer

The introduction of the HPV vaccination and the HPV test represents a milestone in the prevention and early detection of cervical cancer. The HPV vaccination can reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer by more than 90%. In addition, the HPV vaccination largely prevents cancer of the vagina and vulva. Since the vaccination does not provide 100% protection against colonization with HPV, regular early detection examinations (PAP smear) are recommended.

Recommended examinations:

• Pap smear once a year from the age of 20
• HPV vaccination
• HPV test for vaccinated and unvaccinated women every 3 years from the age of 30

Skin cancer

Malignant melanoma (black skin cancer) is the fifth most common cancer. The number of skin cancer cases is increasing – worldwide and also in Austria. Prevention and care are all the more important. That means: Avoid extreme exposure to the sun, use sunscreen and have regular check-ups with a dermatologist. Thanks to modern therapies, melanoma can be cured if it is detected and removed early.

Recommended examinations:

• Skin self-examination at least twice a year and
• Annual examination by the dermatologist

Please contact us for further information or appointments!

Contact

PremiQaMed Privatkliniken GmbH
E-mail: international@premiqamed.at