Who are you getting your cancer screening for?

For women at average risk of breast cancer

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• Women between the ages of 25 and 40 should have an annual clinical breast examination.
• Women 40 and older should have an annual mammogram in addition to an annual clinic breast examination.
• All women should consider performing a monthly breast self-examination.

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For women at high risk

High risk includes family history, history of atypical hyperplasia, history of mantle radiation, genetic predisposition.

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• Clinical breast examination every six months.
• Annual mammograms starting no later than 10 years before the age of the earliest diagnosis in the family but not earlier than age 25 and not later than age 40.
• Consider supplemental imaging for women with dense breast tissue.
• Consider alternating between a breast MRI and a mammogram every six months.

Recommendation for average-risk patients

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Cervical cancer screening recommendations in average-risk patients is generally based on the patient's age.
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Under 21

No screening for cervical cancer. Complete HPV vaccine series if not already received.

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Age 21 to 29 

HPV testing and Pap test every three years.

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Age 30 to 65

Pap test recommended every three years if tests are normal. Patients should be screened even if they report sexual abstinence.

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Over 65 years 

The decision to discontinue screening in average-risk patients depends on the patient's prior results, life expectancy and preferences in a shared decision-making discussion.

Recommended guidelines for colon cancer screening

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• For the general population, individuals should have their initial colonoscopy screening at age 45.
• Individuals who have a family history of colon cancer in a first-degree relative should begin colonoscopy screening at age 40 OR 10 years prior to the age the family member was diagnosed, which ever is earlier.

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If you are not sure about when you should begin screening colonoscopy, talk to your doctor, especially if you have a strong family history of multiple cancers or cancer at a young age.

Who should get lung cancer screening?

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The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) advises that people who smoke be screened every year with low-dose CT (LDCT). Or they should talk with their provider about yearly screening if they meet all of the following:

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• Are age 50 to 80. (Check with your insurance plan, because some plans have age limits); and
• Are current smokers or have quit in the last 15 years; and
• Have a 20 pack-year history of smoking (a pack-year is one pack of cigarettes per day per year).

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The USPSTF says that screening can stop once a person has not smoked for 15 years or has a health problem that limits their life expectancy or their ability to have lung surgery.

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If you have a history of smoking, talk with your healthcare provider about whether yearly lung cancer screening might be right for you.

Who should get prostate cancer screening?

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National Comprehensive Cancer Network advises that men at average risk be screened for prostate cancer beginning at age 50, as needed. Begin at 45 if you have a higher than average risk. Begin at 40 if you have more than one close relative with prostate cancer before age 65.

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Talk to your provider about the pros and cons of screening.

What to look for

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Skin cancer can be treated with more success if it’s found early. The way to find skin cancer early is with regular skin exams. This means having a healthcare provider check your skin and also checking your skin at home regularly.

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First, check if any moles fit the ABCDE rules. These rules can help you tell if a mole should be checked by your healthcare provider. The ABCDE rules are:

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• Asymmetry. One half of the mole doesn't match the other half.
• Border irregularity. The edges of the mole are not well-defined or are ragged or irregular.
• Color. The mole has different colors in it. It may be tan, brown, black, red or other colors. Or it may have areas that seem to have lost color.
• Diameter. The mole is bigger than 6 millimeters across, about the size of a pencil eraser. But some melanomas can be smaller.
• Evolving. A mole looks different from the rest and changes in size, shape or color.

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Other signs and symptoms that may be skin cancer

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• A mole or skin mark that itches or is tender or painful.
• A mole or skin mark that oozes, bleeds or becomes crusty.
• A mole or skin mark that looks different from your other moles or skin marks.
• A sore that doesn't heal.
• A mole or sore that becomes red or swells at its edges or beyond.

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If any moles or skin marks fit the ABCDEs or other signs of skin cancer, see your healthcare provider right away.