Screen local, save lives

With a $1.2 million grant from The Duke Endowment, Hollings is rolling out an ambitious program to bring screenings for five cancers to communities across the state.

Learn about the program
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Hollings in the Community

illustrated map of South Carolina showing cancer care locations and Hollings mobile health units with South Carolina zip codes and building icons in the background

Caring for the whole state

As the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in South Carolina, MUSC Hollings Cancer Center has a special responsibility to reach people throughout the state. Whether through the regional hospitals of MUSC Health, partnerships with community health centers, outreach at schools, presentations at church groups or the mobile units that bring screening and vaccination to the people, Hollings is committed to advancing cancer care across South Carolina.

Cancer screening guidelines

Catching cancer early is the best way to treat it successfully. Below are general guidelines about when you should get screened for different types of cancer. Talk with your doctor about any personal risk factors that may change when and how often you should be screened.

icon representing breast cancer with the word women under it

Breast Cancer

Age 40-74
For average-risk women: Annual mammogram

Women at higher risk can consult with the High-Risk Breast Evaluation Program to see if they need earlier or additional screenings. High risk factors can include family or personal history of breast or ovarian cancer, certain genetic mutations, menstruation before age 12, menopause after age 55, first pregnancy after age 30, never pregnant and Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.

Age 75+
Talk to your doctor about whether to continue screening.

icon representing prostate cancer with the word men under it

Prostate Cancer

Age 45
Black men and men with a father or brother who developed prostate cancer before age 55 should talk to their doctors about beginning screening.

Age 50
Average-risk men should talk to their doctors about screening. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test — annually if previous PSA level is 2.5 ng/mL or higher, or every other year if lower than 2.5 ng/mL. Can be supplemented with a digital rectal exam (DRE).

Age 70+
Talk to your doctor about whether to continue screening.

icon representing cervical cancer with the word women under it

Cervical Cancer

Age 21-29
Pap test every three years

Age 30-65
Pap test along with HPV test every five years

Age 66+
Talk to your doctor about whether to continue screening.

icon representing colorectal cancer with the words men & women under it

Colorectal Cancer

Age 45-75
Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year OR
Guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) every year OR
Multi-targeted stool DNA test every three years OR
Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years OR
Colonoscopy every 10 years

Age 76+
Talk to your doctor about whether to continue screening.

icon representing lung cancer with the words men & women under it

Lung Cancer

Age 50-77
Yearly low-dose CT scan — if you are a current smoker or quit smoking in the last 15 years and have a 20 pack-year history (one pack a day for 20 years; two packs a day for 10 years; etc.)

Age 78+
Talk to your doctor about whether to continue screening.

Community Spotlight

a smiling woman holds her baby in her lap

Sara Couch

At the 2022 Linda Floyd Forum hosted by MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, Sara Couch shared the first-person account of her cancer journey, which began with a diagnosis shortly after her daughter was born.

a young woman holding a glass stands with her arm around her mother

Valerie Salmon

At age 22, Valerie Salmon had lost both of her parents to cancer. She rides in LOWVELO22 to raise money for cancer research and hopes that her loss will help to ensure that fewer people will go through what she has.