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