Cancer Prevention and Screening for Older Adults: Part 2. Interventions to Prevent and Screen for Breast, Prostate, Cervical, Ovarian, and Endometrial Cancer

The incidence of most cancers increase with increasing age. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in older adults after cardiovascular disease. Many common cancers in older adults can be prevented from occurring or can be identified at an early stage and be effectively treated. Though cancer is feared primarily because of premature mortality, for many older adults, preventing and identifying cancer in its early stages, in an attempt to reduce discomfort and disability associated with advanced cancer and cancer treatment, is also a priority. Overscreening for cancer in older adults, can lead to unnecessary diagnostic testing and unnecessary treatment. Both older adults and their healthcare providers need guidance on the appropriate use of cancer prevention and screening interventions. This is Part 2 of a two part clinical review on cancer prevention and screening for adults, 65 years of age and older. Guidance is provided regarding the prevention and early identification of breast, prostate, cervical, ovarian and endometrial cancer. The prevention of lung, colorectal, bladder and kidney cancer were addressed in Part 1.