Cancer Screening and Diagnosis
Expert cancer screening and diagnosis are the first steps in high quality cancer care. At Swedish Hospital, we offer the latest technology and resources for the earliest possible detection of many cancers.
For more information, please call
773-989-3803.
Screenings
Our goal is to work toward a cancer-free community. We regularly offer
convenient public health screenings for breast, prostate, colorectal, uterine, skin and lung cancers for free or at a reduced rate.
Consult the
American Cancer Society's Early Detection Guidelines and speak with your primary care provider to learn more about age and gender appropriate screenings.
Breast Cancer Screening—3D Mammography
Swedish Hospital offers 3-D mammography, detecting 28% more breast cancer than traditional mammography and reducing the number of callbacks due to false alarms. By taking multiple sweeping images across the breasts, physicians and technicians can better detect masses or nodules by looking under and behind breast tissue, benefiting young women or women with dense breasts.
Mammograms can be scheduled at the Women’s Health Center within a week on average and take approximately 30 minutes. Results are faxed to your primary care physician. To schedule your mammogram, please call
773-878-6888.
Colon Cancer Screening
Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, but it has a high cure rate if caught early. Regular testing is crucial to catching polyps that can grow in the lining of the colon which may turn into cancer.
Men and women over 50 years old should have regular colon exams, which may include one or more of the following:
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Stool Blood Tests
Examine a sample of the patient’s stool for traces of blood that can’t be seen. Blood doesn’t necessarily mean cancer, but lets the physician know that further tests should be considered.
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Flexible Sigmoidoscopy and Colonoscopy
Uses a flexible scope to see directly inside a portion of the colon and can allow the physician to remove polyps if they are present (colonoscopy).
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Barium Enemas
Combine barium and air to enable physicians to spot contrasts in the lining of colon which may indicate cancer.
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Endoscopic Colon Ultrasound
May be used if cancer has been detected to examine the digestive tract and other organs surrounding the colon and determine if the cancer has spread. The ultrasound creates an image of the lining and walls of the colon, helping doctors visualize structures not seen with traditional scopes.
Cervical Cancer Screening
Women age 21 to 29 should have a pap smear every three years. After age 29 and until age 65, women should have a combined Pap test and HPV test every five years. During a pap test, the provider will collect cells from the surface of the cervix to look for precancerous cell changes.
Prostate Cancer Screening
Men should begin annual prostate screenings at age 50. Screenings include a digital rectal exam (DRE) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Men in high-risk groups, such as African American men or men who have a close family history of prostate cancer, should begin at 45 years old.
Skin Cancer Screening
Men and women between 18 and 39 years old should get a skin exam during check-ups (at least once every three years) and once a year after age 40.
Call
773-293-8893 to schedule an appointment with the Swedish Skin Institute.
Testicular Cancer Screening
Men over 18 years old should perform a testicular self-exam monthly.
Diagnostic Services
If a biopsy is deemed necessary, patients at Swedish Hospital will be offered the least invasive diagnostic tests available to diagnose cancer quickly.
Endoscopic Bronchoscopic Ultrasound (EBUS)
A minimally invasive and incisionless procedure that allows physicians to perform biopsy of the lungs and surrounding lymph nodes through the patient’s mouth utilizing a bronchoscope—a flexible scope with an ultrasound probe attached to it.
Sentinel Node Biopsy
Quickly determines the stage of cancer by identifying the first node affected.
Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy
A minimally invasive technique that uses an ultrasound machine to navigate with extreme precision to obtain tissue for examination.
Stereotactic Biopsy
Uses mammography to guide the radiologist to the suspicious site within the breast so tissue extraction can be minimal and precise.
Bone Marrow Aspiration
Bone marrow is removed and analyzed to diagnose cancer or determine if tumor cells have metastasized (traveled to sites away from the primary site).
Transvaginal Ultrasound
A method of imaging the genital tract and pelvic structure by using an ultrasound machine that emits high-frequency sound waves to create a superior image compared to traditional procedures.
Contact Us
For more information, please call
773-989-3803.
