• Articles

    Assessing Breast Cancer Risk in Women

    ELIZABETH STEINER, DAVID KLUBERT, DOUG KNUTSON

    Understanding modifiable and nonmodifiable factors that increase or decrease breast cancer risk allows family physicians to counsel women appropriately. Of the risk factors most strongly associated with breast cancer, the two most notable are nonmodifiable: age and female sex.

    Cancer Screening in the Older Patient

    ROSS H. ALBERT, MATHEW M. CLARK

    The decision to discontinue cancer screenings should be made using evidence-based guidelines and patient preferences. Physicians should consider the patient's age, overall health, life expectancy, and the potential benefits and harms of screening.

    Prostate Cancer Screening: The Continuing Controversy

    JASON WILBUR

    Digital rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen testing are commonly used to screen for prostate cancer. However, screening guidelines continue to be debated.

    Colorectal Cancer: A Summary of the Evidence for Screening and Prevention

    THAD WILKINS, PETER L. REYNOLDS

    The incidence of colorectal cancer can be reduced with increasing efforts directed at mass screening of average-risk adults 50 years and older. Most medical organizations do not recommend a preferred screening method, but instead list screening options, including fecal occult...

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    AMA Delegates Adopt Joint Principles of the Patient-Centered Medical Home | Health Care Consumers Express Mixed Feelings about Electronic Health Records | CMS Announces Tentative Payments for Medical Home Demonstration Project | Study Shows the Majority of Health Care Leaders...

    Editorials

    Cancer Screening in Older Patients: Life Expectancy, Prioritization, and Health Literacy

    JOSEPH H. FLAHERTY

    In this issue, Albert and Clark address the increasingly common challenge of how long to continue cancer screening in older patients.1 The most salient points in their article are highlighted in the tables. The statistics they report provide a more useful approach to cancer...

    Prostate Cancer Screening: Let Patients Decide

    MICHAEL LEFEVRE

    This issue includes a well-done review of the controversy about prostate cancer screening.1 Wilbur concludes that current guidelines recommend shared decision making through an individualized, targeted, patient-centered discussion. Updated guidelines from the U.S. Preventive...

    Colorectal Cancer Screening Works—If We Do It

    DOUG CAMPOS-OUTCALT

    Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality in the United States.1 Screening adults 50 years and older for colorectal cancer reduces morbidity and mortality at a reasonable cost. All major cancer and prevention-related organizations recommend universal...

    Putting Prevention into Practice An Evidence-Based Approach

    Screening for Chlamydial Infection

    KENNETH W. LIN, LOLITA RAMSEY

    Case study: A 20-year-old woman comes to your office for her initial prenatal visit following a positive home pregnancy test. Her last menstrual period was 10 weeks ago. She is in a monogamous relationship and uses condoms inconsistently. Her only complaint is morning sickness.

    Close-ups

    Sidelined by Cancer

    CHRISTINA GILLESPIE

    The personal side of medicine told from the patient's perspective. The patient's story is followed by commentary from a physician and a list of resources.

    Practice Guidelines

    AAP Releases Guidelines on Management of Autism Spectrum Disorders

    CARRIE ARMSTRONG

    Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are generally not “curable,” and long-term management is required. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released guidelines on management of ASDs.

    STEPS

    Adalimumab (Humira) for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

    BETH WELCH

    Adalimumab used alone offers little benefit over the traditional first-line agent, methotrexate. However, it increases remission rates when combined with methotrexate in early aggressive rheumatoid arthritis and when combined with traditional DMARDs in those who have not...

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Screening for Cancer

    A screening test is for someone who has no signs of being sick. The test checks to see if you might have a certain disease, such as cancer. A disease can be treated better the earlier it is found.

    Colon Cancer Screening

    Colon cancer is a tumor of the large intestine (colon) that can spread to other parts of the body and cause death. Colon cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Most people with colon cancer get better if the cancer is found early.



    Disclosure

    All editors in a position to control content for this activity, AFP journal, are required to disclose any relevant financial relationships. View disclosures.


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