When you're feeling healthy, it's easy to push thoughts of cancer aside. But giving it more than a passing thought could be one of the smartest things you do for your health.

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States. But the good news is that many common types – including breast, colorectal, cervical and prostate cancers – can actually be caught early. And when that happens, treatment is often more effective, and in some cases, the cancer can even be cured.

So how do you catch cancer early? Is there a special “cancer detection test” or blood work that can be done? Not exactly. There isn’t one universal test that detects all cancers, but there are screening tests for several of the most common types. Plus, there are smart steps you can take to understand your personal risk and keep an eye out for changes in your health. Below, we cover six steps you can take.

1. Stay current on routine cancer screenings

The absolute best way to find cancer early is to get the cancer screenings that are recommended for you. Common cancer screenings include:

• Colon cancer screening – Screening is recommended for everyone between the ages of 45 and 75 years old. Depending on your risk factors, your doctor may recommend getting colon cancer screening sooner.
• Breast cancer screening – Mammograms are recommended for women beginning at age 40 (or sooner if you have risk factors).
• Cervical cancer screening – Women between ages 21 and 65 should be screened for cervical cancer.
• Lung cancer screenings – Lung cancer screenings are typically recommended for people ages 50 to 80 who currently smoke or have a history of smoking.
• Prostate cancer screening – Men should talk to their doctor at age 50 about whether prostate cancer screening is right for them. If you have certain risk factors, your doctor may recommend starting as early as 40 years old.

Cancer screenings are covered by insurance, often at 100% since they’re considered routine preventive care, but it’s always a good idea to check before making your appointment.

2. Understand your family history of cancer

If you have a family history of cancer, you may be more likely to get it too. It’s considered part of your family history if you have one immediate family member or at least two extended family members who’ve been diagnosed with cancer. It’s not always clear why cancer runs in families. Factors may include shared lifestyle, environment and genes.

It's always important to talk to your primary care doctor about your family history of cancer. They’ll be able to let you know when genetic testing may make sense for you.

3. Consider genetic testing and blood tests for hereditary cancer

Hereditary cancer is not the same as a family history of cancer, but it may be a reason why cancer runs in your family. Hereditary cancer describes specific types of cancer that are caused by genetic mutations passed from parent to child.

If your parent has a mutation that can cause a hereditary type of cancer, you have a 50% chance of inheriting the genetic risk. With that said, having genes that cause hereditary cancer doesn’t always lead to cancer, but it increases your risk. According to the National Cancer Institute, up to 10% of cancers may be caused by inherited genetic changes.

The only way to know if you have hereditary cancer is through genetic testing. Your doctor may recommend testing if your family history includes any of the following:

• A person who was diagnosed with cancer before age 39.
• Someone who developed multiple cancers that are closely related (for example, breast and ovarian cancers).
• The same or related types of cancer appearing across generations.

How genetic testing and blood tests detect hereditary cancer

Genetic testing for hereditary cancer is usually done using a blood or saliva sample. Doctors examine your DNA to look for inherited gene changes that may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer. This type of testing is most often used to identify inherited risks for colon cancer, breast cancer (including male breast cancer), ovarian cancer and pancreatic cancer.

Genetic testing health studies (such as myGenetics) can be an easy and free way to find out your genetic risk for certain cancers, including lynch syndrome, hereditary breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

4. Know the risk factors related to your day-to-day life

How you live plays a role in your chances of getting cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, lifestyle factors are responsible for about 19% of cancer. Your environment, including where you live and the air you breathe, plays a role too. Making changes can lower your risk of getting cancer or developing aggressive cancer that spreads more quickly and is harder to treat.

• Being overweight – Being very overweight (or obese) is a risk factor for many types of cancers, including colorectal, breast and pancreatic cancers. Losing any amount of weight can reduce your risk.
• Drinking alcohol – The more you drink, the higher your cancer risk. It’s best not to drink at all. But if you choose to drink, try to limit yourself to one drink a day if you’re a woman or two drinks if you’re a man.
• Food choices – Research shows that frequently eating red meat, processed meats, sugary drinks, fried foods and ultra-processed foods increases your risk of cancer. To reduce your risk, try to eat more fruits and vegetables, and less prepackaged items.
• Activity levels – A sedentary lifestyle is linked to increased cancer risk. Getting regular exercise has been proven to reduce your risk of many types of cancer, likely because it helps to manage your weight and hormone levels.
• Smoking – Smoking is the leading cause of preventable cancer. When you smoke, it increases your risk of at least 12 different types of cancer, including lung cancer, kidney cancer, cervical cancer and acute myeloid leukemia. Talk to your doctor if you’d like help quitting.

5. Watch for common cancer symptoms

Most types of cancer don’t cause symptoms in the early stages, but as cancer advances, symptoms become more likely. Symptoms can vary depending on the type of cancer, but some are more common than others. While it’s likely that these symptoms have another cause, schedule a visit with your primary care doctor if you notice any of them.

• Unexplained weight loss – Unexpected weight loss is often one of the first noticeable signs of cancer.
• Fatigue that doesn’t go away – Cancer can make you feel tired all the time, even if you’re getting enough rest.
• Changes in skin or moles – These can include new or changing moles, jaundice (yellowing of the skin) or unexplained rashes.
• Unusual bleeding or discharge – For example, you may notice blood in urine or blood in poop.
• Persistent cough or hoarseness – Watch for a chronic cough or changes in your voice that last for more than a couple weeks, especially if there’s not a clear cause.
• Digestive problems – Some cancers can cause bloating, heartburn, indigestion, nausea and abdominal discomfort that doesn’t go away.
• Unusual lumps or swelling – You may feel a lump or have swelling in one area of the body, such as the breast, underarms, neck, testicles or groin. A lump is often the first noticeable symptom of testicular cancer and breast cancer.

6. Find a primary care doctor you can trust

Your primary care doctor plays a key role in keeping you healthy and that includes helping detect cancer early. From cancer screenings to personalized guidance, here are some of the ways that they’ll help you stay healthy for as long as possible.

• Identify the cancer screenings you need –Your doctor will guide you on what cancer screenings you need, and when you need them.
• Recommend vaccines that help prevent cancer – Preventive cancer vaccines protect against viruses that can lead to certain types of cancer. Current cancer vaccines include the HPV vaccine and the Hepatitis B vaccine. These vaccines are usually given during childhood, but your doctor can let you know if they make sense for you.
• Diagnose and treat your symptoms – If you’re experiencing symptoms of any kind, your doctor can help. Primary care doctors diagnose and treat hundreds of conditions, and can connect you with specialty care when you need it.
• Help you reduce your cancer risks – Your doctor can recommend ways to lower your cancer risk, such as changes in activity level, food choices and alcohol intake.

If you don’t have a primary care doctor, it’s a great time to find one who’ll meet your needs. At HealthPartners we have hundreds of award-winning primary care doctors to choose from.