The one sure thing about cancer is that the sooner you detect it, the better your chances of being cured. So one of the best things you can do for your health is to schedule cancer screenings and checkups.
Regardless of your current health you should establish a relationship with an internal medicine doctor or a general practitioner (GP) and a gynecologist. Too often we think we only need to go to the doctor if we have a problem or complaint. However, some of our most important doctor visits are our routine check-ups. Once you have established a relationship with a regular physician she will be able to help you determine which screenings and checkups you need based on your medical history, family history, and other personal risk factors.
Some screening tests can be quite costly so check with your insurance company prior to scheduling an appointment to determine which screening tests will be covered by your policy. Fortunately, most insurance companies recognize the value of screenings and include them as covered benefits in most policies. If you do not have insurance, or if your insurance does not cover the needed screening tests, check with your provider to see if you can arrange a payment plan.
The American Cancer Society has issued guidelines for screening tests. Review these guidelines with your physician to determine which tests you need and how often you need them.
20 years of age or older
- Periodic health exams to include health counseling and exams for cancers of the thyroid, oral cavity, skin, lymph nodes, and ovaries.
- Clinical breast exam - every 3 years
- Breast self-exam – monthly
- Pap test - yearly
Age 30 – 39
- Periodic health exams – every 3 years
- Clinical breast exam – every 3 years
- Breast self-exam - monthly
- Pap test – Every 2 to 3 years for women who have had 3 normal Pap test results in a row; otherwise, yearly. Another reasonable option is to include the HPV DNA test with either the conventional or liquid-based Pap test. Women who have certain risk factors such as diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure before birth, HIV infection, or a weakened immune system due to organ transplant, chemotherapy, or chronic steroid use should continue to be screened yearly.
Age 40 – 49
- Clinical breast exam – yearly
- Mammogram – yearly
- Breast self-exam – monthly
- Pap test – same as age 30-39
- Health exams – yearly
Age 50 and older
- Pap test – same as age 30-39
- Clinical breast exam – yearly
- Mammogram – yearly
- Breast self-exam – monthly
- Health exams - yearly
- Colon and Rectal Cancer – You do not necessarily need all of these tests, check with your physician to determine which tests are best for your situation.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy – every 5 years
Colonoscopy – every 10 years
Double contrast barium enema – every 5 years
CT colongraphy (virtual colonoscopy) – every 5 years
Fecal occult blood tests – every year
Fecal immunochemical test – every year
Stool DNA test – interval uncertain
Age 70 and older
- Pap test – Women who have had 3 or more normal Pap tests in a row and no abnormal Pap test results in the last 10 years may choose to stop having cervical cancer screening. Women with a history of cervical cancer, DES exposure before birth, HIV infection or a weakened immune system should continue to have screening as long as they are in good health.
Additional Guidelines:
Breast Cancer – Regardless of your age, women who are at a higher risk (greater than 20% lifetime risk) should get a MRI and mammogram yearly. Women at a moderately increased risk (15% to 20% lifetime risk) should talk to their doctor about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to the yearly mammogram. Yearly MRI screening is not recommended for women whose lifetime risk of breast cancer is less than 15%.
Cervical Cancer Screening – Screening should be done with the regular Pap test about 3 years after becoming sexually active, but no later than age 21. The screening and Pap test should then be done yearly or every 2 years using the newer liquid-based Pap test.
Women who have had a total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix) may choose to stop having cervical cancer screening, unless the surgery was done as a treatment for cervical cancer or pre-cancer. Women who have had a hysterectomy without removal of the cervix should continue to follow their age specific guidelines.
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