Tom Neal, RN, MBA, MHA, is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of Highlands-Cashiers Hospital. Neal is a proven leader with more than 30 years of progressive healthcare experience. Prior to his role at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, he served as Chief Executive Officer of both Berwick Hospital Center in Berwick, Pennsylvania, and Greenbriar Valley Medical Center, Ronceverte, West Virginia, which are each part of Community Health Systems (CHS). Tom has an MBA from the University of Louisville, MHA from the California College of Health Sciences, BSN from Regents College of New York and an ADN from Jefferson Community College.
We hear a lot about the importance of cancer screenings – and for good reason. Simply put, early detection saves lives.
No one wants to hear the words “You have cancer.”
But if a diagnosis does happen, finding it early can make a tremendous difference. When cancer is caught in its early stages, it’s more likely to be contained in one area and easier to treat. When it’s found later, it may have already spread, making treatment more difficult and outcomes less certain.
Another important point: Early treatment is often easier on the body.
In some cases, surgery alone may be enough. But more advanced cancers may require chemotherapy, radiation, or both.
These treatments can be lifesaving, but they often come with tough side effects like fatigue, nausea, neuropathy, mouth sores, and hair loss — and sometimes those effects can linger.
That’s why staying on top of screenings is so important. If we wait until symptoms appear, cancer has often already progressed. Screenings give us the chance to catch it before that happens.
Highlands-Cashiers Hospital or our primary care clinic can provide these screenings. For adults at average risk, here are some general guidelines to keep in mind:
Women should begin mammograms at age 40; discuss with your provider if you might be high risk as those screenings start earlier.
Men should begin prostate cancer screening around age 50, typically starting with a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test; some men, such as those with a family history or higher risk, may need to begin earlier, so it’s important to discuss timing with your provider
Pap tests for cervical cancer should start at age 21
Lung cancer screening is recommended each year for adults ages 50–80 with a significant smoking history (or those who have quit within the past 15 years) using a low-dose CT scan
Oral cancer screenings begin at age 18 and are typically done during dental visits
Colon cancer screening should begin at age 45, a change made in recent years as more younger adults are being diagnosed
Skin cancer screenings vary depending on your personal risk factors, like family history and skin type
Of course, these are general recommendations. In addition, being aware of changes in your body – such as lumps, skin changes, or unusual symptoms – and discussing them with your provider is an important part of early detection. If you do not have a strong relationship with a primary care provider, it is one of the best things you can do for your health. They can help you understand your individual risk and guide you on when and how often to be screened.
Some individuals – especially those with a family history of certain cancers – may need additional screenings for cancers like ovarian, pancreatic, liver, or bladder cancer.
As a prostate cancer survivor, this topic is personal for me. I can say firsthand that early detection truly makes a difference.
Beyond screenings, there’s a lot we can do in our everyday lives to lower our risk. Regular exercise (aim for about 150 minutes a week), a healthy diet, good sleep, limiting alcohol, and quitting smoking all play a role. Managing stress is important, too. It’s something we all deal with, but how we handle it matters.
by Tom Neal, RN, MBA, MHA
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