Types of Cancer Screenings
There are several recommended cancer screenings. Your doctor will tell you the right time to complete screening, along with the risks and benefits of each test.
Cervix
By age 21, all women should get screened for cervical cancer, a type of gynecologic cancer. Our gynecology team can perform routine Pap smears and other screening.
Follow these guidelines, regardless of whether you’ve received a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine:
- Age 21–29—have a Pap test every three years. If abnormal cells are present, your doctor may recommend an additional HPV test.
- Age 30–64—have both a Pap test and an HPV test every three years. Depending on your results, your doctor may suggest Pap testing alone or more frequent monitoring.
- Age 65 and older—if you’ve had regular cervical cancer screening over the past 10 years with normal results, you may no longer need testing. If you have a history of serious cervical pre-cancer, you should continue screening for at least 20 years after the diagnosis.
If you had a total hysterectomy (uterus and cervix removal) for reasons unrelated to cervical cancer—and you have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer—further testing is not needed.
Colon
Colon cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer in the U.S. Screening start times depend on your risk factors:
If you have a family history (an immediate relative with a polyp or cancer), start screening 10 years earlier than the age at which your relative was diagnosed.
Those with no family history should begin screening at age 45.
A colonoscopy is the most effective way to screen for colon cancer. You should have one every 10 years, unless previous results or other risk factors indicate otherwise. The American Cancer Society offers these additional testing guidelines:
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years
- Double-contrast barium enema every five years
- CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every five years
Your doctor may offer other testing options, including:
- Yearly guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT)
- Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
- Stool DNA test (sDNA) every three years
These guidelines are general recommendations and may not apply if you have a family history or carry a related gene mutation. Your doctor will explain which tests apply to you and how often you need them.
Talk to your primary care provider about when and how you should schedule your colonoscopy.
Prostate
Men should talk to their primary care providers about prostate cancer screening. Together, you can weigh your personal risk factors—including health, lifestyle and family history—to decide what’s best for you. Our urologists offer prostate cancer screening with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests and digital rectal exams (DRE).
Generally, screenings should begin at:
- Age 50 for men at average risk
- Age 45 for men at high risk, including those who are African American or have an immediate relative who was diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65
- Age 40 for men at even greater risk, including those with more than one immediate relative diagnosed at an early age
Uterine (Endometrial)
Women should learn about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer when they reach menopause. Based on your individual risk factors or symptoms, your gynecologist may recommend a yearly endometrial biopsy.
Skin (Melanoma)
We encourage you to stay aware of changes in your skin and perform regular head-to-toe self-exams. Look for new, changing, discolored or persistent moles, freckles or spots. They may appear in less obvious areas, like your scalp or the bottoms of your feet. Your primary care doctor or dermatologist can perform screenings for melanoma and other skin cancers. In most cases, you should have a professional screening once a year.
Genetic Testing
Some people inherit gene changes from their parents that increase their risk for certain cancers. For example, mutations in the BRCA genes link to breast, ovarian, prostate, and other cancers.
Genetic testing can help determine whether you carry a mutation that may raise your cancer risk. Ask your doctor about which cancers have testing options, what your results could mean and what to consider before testing.
Other Cancer Screenings
If you’re at high risk for certain cancers, you may need additional screening tests. Ask your doctor whether these screenings make sense for you:
- Lung
- Lymph nodes
- Mouth
- Ovaries
- Testes
- Thyroid
