Cancer Prevention and Control Program
The Cancer Prevention and Control Program of the New York City Department of
Health and Mental Hygiene seeks to increase early detection and screening for
cancer citywide.
What Cancer Patients and Survivors Should Know
About the Flu. If you have cancer now or have had cancer in the past,
you are at higher risk for complications from the flu, including hospitalization
and death. The CDC has information about special considerations for cancer
patients and survivors on their website.
Please click on one of the links below to learn more about the NYC DOHMH's
cancer prevention and control efforts:
Breast Cancer Prevention and Control
The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recommends that women ages 40
and older get a mammogram every 1-2 years. Women with a family history of breast
cancer should seek expert medical advice about whether to begin screening before
40 years of age and how often to get screened. Screening mammography is an
important way to identify potential cancers at an earlier stage and has been
shown to reduce deaths from breast cancer.
- • To learn more, click here.
Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control
Regular Pap tests can prevent cancer of the cervix (the opening to a woman's
uterus) by finding abnormalities that can be treated before they become
cancerous. In its early, most curable stages, cervical cancer has no symptoms.
To increase its detection, Pap tests (also called Pap smears) are generally
recommended every 1 to 3 years for adult women.
- • To learn more, click here.
Colon Cancer Prevention and Control
The New York City Health Department recommends colonoscopy every 10 years for
men and women age 50 years and over. Annual high-sensitivity FOBT with 3
consecutive stool samples is an alternative for patients who are unable or
unwilling to undergo colonoscopy. People at increased risk for colorectal cancer
should begin screening with colonoscopy at age 40 or earlier.
- • To learn more, click here.
For information on cancers not covered
here, please visit the American
Cancer Society and the National
Cancer Institutes.
