Cancer Screening Guidelines

Are You Up-To-Date on Your Recommended Cancer Screenings?

Discuss These Screening Guidelines* With Your Doctor.

All Adults:

• A cancer-related check-up every three years ages 20-40, and every year after age 40.
• Monthly skin self-exam to check moles and freckles for ABCD: asymmetry, border irregularity, color unevenness or change, and diameter larger than a pea.
• Over age 50: Yearly Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) and flexible sigmoidoscopy for colorectal cancer every 5 years.
• Earlier screening when strong family history of colorectal cancer or other risk factors exist.

Women:

• Breast self-exam monthly for women ages 20 and over.
• Clinical exam every three years ages 20-40. Over 40, clinical exam and mammography every year.
• Annual or biennial pap tests for cervical cancer starting about three years after beginning vaginal intercourse, but no later than age 21.

Men:

• Over age 50: Annual Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) and
• Digital Rectal Examination (DRE). Men at high risk should begin testing at age 40-50 years.

*2003 recommendations, American Cancer Society