Ascension Wisconsin Cancer Prevention and Wellness Program in Southeast Wisconsin and Fox Valley.

Ascension Wisconsin focuses on cancer prevention

If you have risk factors for developing cancer, speak with your doctor to determine if the Ascension Wisconsin Cancer Prevention and Wellness Program is right for you.
Schedule an appointment - 262-785-2273

Understanding and managing your risk for cancer 

Being at a higher risk for developing cancer can leave you with a lot of questions and uncertainty. Your Ascension Wisconsin doctor and care team are here to listen, support you and answer your questions. Understanding your risk and getting the recommended screenings can help to detect cancer early when it’s most treatable. 

The Ascension Wisconsin Cancer Prevention and Wellness Program specializes in the assessment and care for those who are at increased risk for developing cancer. Your team can  recommend targeted screenings, testing and follow-up care based on your individual risk factors. They will work closely with you to create a personalized plan and connect you to the care that supports your overall well-being and health goals.

Do you know if you are at increased risk for cancer? 

Start with a conversation

Ascension Wisconsin associates answer questions about genetic counseling and explains how your family's medical history is an important tool to help your provider plan, improve and be proactive with your care.

The Ascension Wisconsin Cancer Prevention and Wellness care team provides a guide to help you create a family health history to better understand possible hereditary cancers. Once you complete the guide, you and your doctor can discuss your family medical history (parents, siblings and other relatives who had cancer), how genes are linked to certain types of cancer, and what medical conditions and lifestyle choices can increase your risk.   

It is important for you to understand that just because you have a family history of a certain disease, it does not necessarily mean you will get it. If you have risk factors for specifically developing cancer, talk with your doctor to determine if the Ascension Wisconsin Cancer Prevention and Wellness Program is right for you.

While your genetics may not be something you can change, you can modify things in your everyday life to decrease your risk. If any of the following apply to you, you may be at a higher risk for some cancers: 

  • Non-modifiable (non-controllable or changeable)
    • Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry  
    • Close family history of cancer (diagnosed younger than 50)  
    • Family history of ovarian, pancreatic, metastatic prostate or male breast cancer 
    • Known genetic mutation (personal or family history, such as BRCA1 or 2)  
    • Multiple family members who have been diagnosed with cancer 
    • Personal and family history of cancer
  • Additional risk factors
    • Diagnosed with colon polyps (greater than 10 in your lifetime)
    • Previously diagnosed with certain infections, such as: 
      • Helicobacter pylori/H.pylori
      • Hepatitis B or C virus
      • Human Papillomavirus/HPV
    • An abnormal breast biopsy result
    • Radiation treatment to the chest before age 30
  • Modifiable (controllable or changeable) lifestyle choices:
    • Current or former smoker or tobacco user  
    • Excess sun or UV exposure (for example, sunlamps or tanning beds)
    • Non-active lifestyle  
    • Unhealthy diet
    • Obesity

Health screenings help detect cancer early

The Cancer Prevention and Wellness team uses personal and family history, as well as genetic testing to assess cancer risk of individuals and their family members. Once the risks are determined, we provide cancer screenings and design a personalized risk reduction plan. Our care team works closely with you and your primary care doctor to develop strategies for surveillance and following a personalized wellness plan. 

Even if you don’t have a family history of cancer or symptoms, start a conversation with a doctor about your risk factors for cancer and other health concerns. Getting regular preventive care and screenings may help find cancer early when it is the most treatable. At Ascension Wisconsin, we offer convenient cancer screenings including mammograms, colonoscopies, low-dose CT lung scans and many more.

  • Breast cancer screenings

    Care teams at Ascension Wisconsin recommend mammogram screenings beginning at age 40 or sooner if you have personal or family history that places you at higher risk. 

    For women at high risk of breast cancer (20%+ lifetime risk, history of high-risk lesions, certain genetic mutations or prior radiation to the breast), supplemental screening is recommended, potentially starting before age 40.

    If you have been notified that you have dense breasts but are not at high risk for breast cancer, you may consider supplemental screening with an abbreviated breast MRI. This test is recommended every 2-3 years and is a $500 self-pay study. Talk to your care team to see if this is recommended for you.

    SCHEDULE A MAMMOGRAM - SE WISCONSIN

    SCHEDULE A MAMMOGRAM - FOX VALLEY 

  • Prostate cancer screening

    Prostate cancer screening helps to identify prostate cancer before symptoms develop.  Screening is performed with a blood test called Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test.In addition, many providers will perform a digital rectal exam to identify prostate cancer. Doctors at Ascension Wisconsin recommend men start screening as follows:

    • Age 50 for men who are at average risk of prostate cancer
    • Age 45 for men at high risk of developing prostate cancer. This includes African American men and men who have a first-degree relative (father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65).
    • Age 40 for men at even higher risk (those with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age)
  • Lung cancer screening

    Lung screening helps you and your doctor better understand your lung health.The first step is to find out if a low-dose CT lung screening* is right for you. Talk with your doctor if you need help to stop smoking, or call Cancer Prevention and Wellness Team Smoking Cessation Clinic. 

    *An order from your primary care doctor or other provider is needed for a low-dose CT scan. If you don’t have a primary care doctor, contact our Cancer Prevention and Wellness Program at 262-785-2273 to have a conversation about lung cancer screenings with one of our provider

  • Colorectal cancer screening

    The goal of colorectal cancer screenings is to find polyps and cancer early when they are most treatable and there are a greater number of treatment options.These screenings are not just for finding cancer- the goal is to stop it before it starts. While not all polyps are cancerous, they can become cancerous in the future. That’s why it's important to identify and remove them.

  • Colon cancer screening

    Colonoscopy, stool DNA test (Cologuard) or fecal occult stool test. Talk with your doctor about a screening colonoscopy or at-home colorectal tests that are right for you based on your age, family history, smoking history and other risk factors. If you have been previously diagnosed with cancer or are in remission, screenings may be an ongoing part of your cancer care.

    We recommend men and women colon start cancer screening at age 45. You may need to get a colonoscopy earlier if you have a personal or family history of polyps or colon cancer, or if you have symptoms such as:

    • Abdominal pain or discomfort 
    • Change in bowel habits 
    • Rectal bleeding 
    • Unexplained weight loss

Personalized risk assessment 

At your appointment, an advanced practice clinician takes time to understand you and your health concerns. They review your personal and family history and will recommend a cancer prevention care plan that supports your overall well-being. Your care team at Ascension Wisconsin Cancer Prevention and Wellness Program provides a personalized risk assessment that may include:

  • Genetic tests based on your cancer risk factors
  • Physical evaluation 

 Your team helps make your appointments for testing and will refer you to a specialist for additional care as needed. They are there every step of the way to listen, support and answer your questions.  

Personalized wellness plan

Ascension Wisconsin doctors and care teams focus on your personal wellness. They will work with you to create a personalized wellness plan that supports your health goals. With health coaching and goal setting, your unique wellness plan may include: 

  • Enhanced screening and testing to detect cancer when it’s most treatable
  • Genetic counseling and testing 
  • Health coaching and goal setting
  • Plan for follow-up care and communication with your primary care provider
  • Referrals to other specialists for the treatment of risk factors as determined by assessment (such as a registered dietician for weight management)
  • Risk-reducing medication management, if appropriate
  • Risk-reducing surgery or interventions, if appropriate
  • Smoking and tobacco cessation plans by a certified tobacco treatment specialist, including medications and behavior modification

Our program care team shares your wellness plan with your primary care doctor. At Ascension Wisconsin Cancer Prevention and Wellness, our team is here to help connect you to specialists and support your optimal wellbeing. Our doctors can also explain potential clinical trials: research that focuses on cancer prevention, such as breast cancer risk reduction.  

To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call 262-785-2273. Virtual visits may be available.  

Cancer Prevention and Wellness Program locations

We provide the Ascension Wisconsin Cancer Prevention and Wellness Program at many locations, close to home:

Learn more

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Kara and Mike's story

Despite her fears, Kara received support from her family and her Ascension Wisconsin care team, who helped her throughout her treatment and while pregnant.