Prevention & Screening

Screening Recommendations for Early Cancer Detection

This information applies to people who have an average risk of getting cancer (no family history of cancer and no symptoms of cancer evident).

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

Recommendations for Women

Site Age Test/Procedure Name Description Frequency
Breast 20-39 Clinical Breast Examination Performed by a board-certified physician. Every 3 years.
    Breast self-examination (BSE) Done at home by you. Optional, monthly
  40+ To above, add a Mammogram An x-ray examination of the breast. Annually
Cervix 21+ 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.
Colorectal 50+ The type of procedure you or your doctor selects will determine how often you should be tested.
    Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) ** Involves taking a sample of your feces to determine if there is any hidden blood Annually.
    Flexible sigmoidoscopy ** 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. Every 5 years, starting at age 50.
    Colonoscopy Examination of the colon with a long, flexible, lighted tube called a colonoscope. Every 10 years, starting at age 50.
    Double Contrast Barium Enema (DCBE) 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. Every 5 years, starting at age 50.

Recommendations for Men

Site Age Test/Procedure Name Description Frequency
Colorectal 50+ The type of procedure you or your doctor selects will determine how often you should be tested.
    Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) Involves taking a sample of your feces to determine if there is any hidden blood Annually.
    Flexible sigmoidoscopy 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. Every 5 years, starting at age 50.
    Colonoscopy Examination of the colon with a long, flexible, lighted tube called a colonoscope. Every 10 years, starting at age 50.
    Double Contrast Barium Enema (DCBE) 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. Every 5 years, starting at age 50.
Prostate 50+ Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) A blood test to determine the level of gland protein made primarily by the prostate Annually, starting at age 50.
Prostate 50+ Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) The doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel for anything not normal Men in high-risk groups, such as African Americans or those with family history of prostate cancer should begin screening at age 45.