STEPS YOU CAN TAKE - Early Detection Recommendations

This information applies to people who have an average risk of getting cancer -- there is no family history of cancer, nor are any symptoms of cancer evident.

Everyone, male or female, should have a cancer-related examination every 3 years starting from age 20 until reaching age 39. At age 40, exams should be done annually (once every year). A cancer-related check up should include:

Examination for cancers of the:	& Counseling about:
Thyroid Testicles Ovaries Lymph nodes Oral cavity Skin	Tobacco Sun exposure Diet and nutrition Risk factors Sexual practices Environmental and occupational exposures

Women	Site	Test or Procedure		Frequency
		Name	Description
age 20-39	Breast	Clinical breast examination Breast self-examination (BSE)	Performed by a board-certified physician. Done at home by you.	Every 3 years. Optional, monthly
age 40+		To above, add a Mammogram	An x-ray examination of the breast.	Annually
age 21+	Cervix	Pap test (pap smear) and pelvic examination	Involves scraping some cells from a woman's cervix and looking at them under a microscope to see if abnormal cells are present; procedure is performed by a physician during a pelvic examination.	Begin screening about 3 years after becoming sexually active. At age 21, the test and exam should occur annually. If you receive normal tests for 3 years, screening can be done every every 2-3 years.
age 50+	Colorectal	The type of procedure you or your doctor selects will determine how often you should be tested.
		Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) ** Flexible sigmoidoscopy ** Colonoscopy Double Contrast Barium Enema (DCBE)	Involves taking a sample of your feces to determine if there is any hidden blood. A slender, hollow, lighted tube is placed into the rectum to help find cancer or polyps on the inside of the rectum and part of the colon. Examination of the colon with a long, flexible, lighted tube called a colonoscope. Barium sulfate, a chalky substance, is used to partially fill and open up the colon. Air is then inserted to expand the colon, allowing x-ray films to show abnormalities.	Annually. Every 5 years, starting at age 50. Every 10 years, starting at age 50. Every 5 years, starting at age 50

Men	Site	Test or Procedure		Frequency
		Name	Description
age 50+	Colorectal	The type of procedure you or your doctor selects will determine how often you should be tested.
		Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) ** Flexible sigmoidoscopy ** Colonoscopy Double Contrast Barium Enema (DCBE)	Involves taking a sample of your feces to determine if any hidden blood is present. A slender, hollow, lighted tube is placed into the rectum to help find cancer or polyps on the inside of the rectum and part of the colon. Examination of the colon with a long, flexible, lighted tube called a colonoscope. Barium sulfate, a chalky substance, is used to partially fill and open up the colon. Air is then inserted to expand the colon, allowing x-ray films to show abnormalities.	Annually. Every 5 years, starting at age 50. Every 10 years, starting at age 50. Every 5 years, starting at age 50
age 50+	Prostate	Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)	A blood test to determine the level of gland protein made primarily by the prostate. The doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel for anything not normal.	Annually, starting at age 50. Men in high-risk groups, such as African Americans or those with family history of prostate cancer should begin screening at age 45.***

**   Flexible sigmoidoscopy together with FOBT is preferred.
*** Information should be provided to men about the benefits and limitations of testing.

Adapted from the American Cancer Society's recommendation's for the early detection of cancer.