Cancer Screening and Prevention Flashcards

At what age does the USPSTF recommend initiating annual low-dose CT (LDCT) screening for lung cancer in high-risk individuals?

Answer: 50 years

The USPSTF (2021 update) recommends annual LDCT screening beginning at age 50 for adults with a 20-pack-year history who currently smoke or quit within the past 10 years.

The HPV vaccine is most effective when administered:

Answer: Before sexual debut, ideally at age 11–12

HPV vaccination generates the highest immune response and provides complete protection when given before HPV exposure, which is why it is recommended at age 11–12.

Which stool-based test detects blood AND altered DNA markers from colorectal neoplasms?

Answer: Cologuard (stool DNA test, sDNA-FIT)

Cologuard combines fecal immunochemical testing for hemoglobin with stool DNA markers (KRAS, NDRG4, BMP3 methylation) for higher sensitivity than either test alone.

The BRCA1/2 mutation confers the highest lifetime risk for which two cancers?

Answer: Breast and ovarian cancer

BRCA1/2 mutations confer a lifetime breast cancer risk of 50–80% and ovarian cancer risk of 15–44%, with BRCA1 conferring the highest ovarian risk.

Lynch syndrome increases lifetime risk of which cancer most significantly?

Answer: Colorectal cancer

Lynch syndrome (caused by MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, EPCAM mutations) confers a 40–80% lifetime risk of colorectal cancer and 15–60% for endometrial cancer.

Chemoprevention with tamoxifen is recommended for which group of high-risk women?

Answer: Women age 35+ with ≥1.7% 5-year breast cancer risk (Gail model) who are premenopausal

Tamoxifen reduces breast cancer incidence by 50% in high-risk premenopausal women with elevated 5-year risk per the Gail model, and is FDA-approved for risk reduction.