How do I get screened?

Getting screened for cancer keeps you in control of your health status. The tips below can guide you on how to get started, what to expect and where to learn more about your benefits.

Step 1: Schedule a visit with your doctor to learn what cancer screenings are right for you at your age.

Step 2: If possible, prepare for your visit by gathering your family’s cancer history. This may require you to talk to family members if you feel comfortable doing so. Sharing your family’s cancer history can help your doctor understand your risk for cancer.
Make a list of the following information to share with your doctor:

Step 3: At your visit, start the conversation with your doctor.
Below are some questions that can help:

More tools to help you prepare:

This depends on your doctor’s recommendation. The videos and descriptions below can give you an idea of what to expect for some of the most common cancer screenings, but it is always best to talk to your doctor or care team to learn more.

Cancer Screening Video Library

A mammogram takes about 20 minutes to complete. During a mammogram, your breast is pressed flat between 2 plastic plates for a few seconds while an X-ray picture is taken. The plates are moved to a new position and the breast is pressed flat again to take another view. The same process is done on the other breast. Flattening the breast may cause discomfort but it is needed to get a clear view to look for signs of cancer.

Tips to prepare for your mammogram:

A Pap test takes a few minutes to complete. During the test, your doctor places a speculum gently inside your vagina. The speculum is a metal or plastic tool that keeps the vagina open so the cervix can be seen clearly. The cervix is a small canal that connects your uterus and vagina. Next, using a small spatula or brush, a sample of cells and mucus is lightly scraped from your cervix. You may feel some discomfort during the test, but it should go away once it is done.

Tips to prepare for your Pap test:

A colonoscopy may take 15–30 minutes to complete, but the entire visit (including prep and wait time) can take 1 hour or more. During your colonoscopy, your doctor will use a long, thin, flexible tube with a small camera to look at the inside of your colon. The tube will enter the opening to your intestine (the anus) and move into the lower parts of the large intestine (the rectum and then the colon). Special tools can be passed through the tube to take samples or remove any areas of concern. Your care team will let you know what you can do to ease any discomfort you may feel after the procedure.

Before your colonoscopy, talk with your doctor about:

The FIT checks for hidden blood in the stool. This test can be done every year, unlike some of the other colon cancer screenings. It can also be done in the privacy of your home. Your doctor will give you supplies such as a test kit, test cards or tubes, long brushes or other collecting devices, waste bags and a mailing envelope. The kit has detailed instructions on how to collect the samples. Keep in mind that different FIT kits will have different instructions.

Tips to collect your FIT samples:

An LDCT scan is painless, and the image only takes about a minute to complete. For this scan you lie on a thin, flat table that slides inside a large doughnut-shaped machine called a CT scanner. As the table moves into the opening, a computer makes detailed X-ray images of your lungs.

Tips to prepare for your LDCT:

Yes, CalOptima Health covers most preventive services, not just those for cancer. This means CalOptima Health members may be eligible to get routine cancer screenings at no cost. Visit the links below or contact CalOptima Health to find out if cancer screenings are covered for you.

Learn about benefits covered by CalOptima Health Medi-Cal
See a summary of Medi-Cal benefits.  

Contact CalOptima Health Medi-Cal Customer Service toll-free at 1-888-587-8088 (TTY 711), Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We have staff who speak your language.

Learn about benefits covered by CalOptima Health OneCare (HMO D-SNP), a Medicare Medi-Cal Plan
See a summary of OneCare benefits.  

Contact OneCare Customer Service toll-free at 1-877-412-2734 (TTY 711), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have staff who speak your language.

Sources:

https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/doctor-visits/screening-tests/get-screened#take-action-tab  

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/screening/get-screened.html?gad=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvsn_4_7DgAMVOCCtBh3ORwPHEAAYASAAEgKiw_D_BwE  

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/family-health-history/index.htm  

https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/preventive-care-benefits/  

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/mammogram-tips-infographic/7-things-to-know-about-getting-a-mammogram-text-alternative.html  

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/cervical-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/screening-tests/pap-test.html  

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/diagnosis-staging/tests/endoscopy/colonoscopy.html  

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/screening-tests-used.html  

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/detection.html