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Three women in their 40s and 50s are walking outdoors away from the camera on a paved path. The woman in the middle is wearing purple exercise clothes and is turning her head back. She is making eye contact and grinning.

EARLY DETECTION = BETTER OUTCOMES

Cancer Screenings and Prevention

Get screened for more healthy days ahead and more time with the people you love.

This information will help you and your health care provider decide which cancer screenings you need, when to begin screening and how often you should be screened.

All Ages | 20s | 30s | 40s | 50s | 60s | 70s | 80s

Click on your age group and see what screenings you need.

Download screenings overview chart [58 KB]

 

All ages

Talk with your health care provider about any personal or family history of cancer to determine if you should begin cancer screenings at an earlier age or be tested more frequently. Having one or more family members with a history of certain cancers, including breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer, may place you at higher risk for the development of cancer.

An intimate portrait of a diverse group of people in their 20s and 30s. In the front row is a white woman with long brown hair and a Black man with short dreadlocks and a goatee. The back row is a white woman with a blond buzz cut, a Hispanic man wearing a beanie and white man with shoulder-length brown hair. Everyone is smiling and facing the camera.

20s

  • Clinical breast exam:
    If you were assigned female at birth, talk with your health care provider at least once every three years for risk assessment, risk reduction counseling and a clinical breast exam.
  • Cervical cancer screening:
    If you have a cervix, begin cervical cancer screening at age 21. In your 20s, this means a Pap test every three 3 years.
  • Oral cancer check:
    Visit your dentist every 6 months and ask for an oral cancer exam.
  • HPV vaccine:
    If you haven’t been vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV), talk with your health care provider about getting vaccinated now. HPV can cause at least 6 types of cancer the HPV vaccine can protect against it and is recommended up to age 26.
  • Hepatitis B vaccine:
    If you haven’t been vaccinated against hepatitis B (a leading cause of liver cancer), talk with your health care provider about getting vaccinated now.
  • Hepatitis C test:
    Get tested at least once in your lifetime for hepatitis C (a leading cause of liver cancer).
  • Skin cancer check:
    Get an annual skin check.
  • Testicular cancer check:
    If you have testicles, ask your health care provider to examine them during your routine physical and learn about self-exams. Performing a self-exam can help you get to know what is normal for you. If you notice a change, see your health care provider right away.

30s

  • Clinical breast exam:
    If you were assigned female at birth, talk with your health care provider at least once every three years for risk assessment, risk reduction counseling and a clinical breast exam.
  • Cervical cancer screening:
    If you have a cervix, get screened for cervical cancer with a Pap test combined with an HPV test every 5 years (co-testing), an HPV test every 5 years, or a Pap test every 3 years.
  • Oral cancer check:
    Visit your dentist every 6 months and ask for an oral cancer exam.
  • Hepatitis B vaccine:
    If you haven’t been vaccinated against hepatitis B (a leading cause of liver cancer) , talk with your health care provider about getting vaccinated now.
  • Hepatitis C test:
    Get tested at least once in your lifetime for hepatitis C (a leading cause of liver cancer).
  • Skin cancer check:
    Get an annual skin check.
  • Testicular cancer check:
    If you have testicles, ask your health care provider to examine them during your routine physical and learn about self-exams. Performing a self-exam can help you get to know what is normal for you. If you notice a change, see your health care provider right away.
A close-up image of two women in their 40s or 50s in a dining room. One woman is seated at the table. The other woman is behind her and leaning down to embrace the other woman's shoulders. Both women are smiling and eyes are closed indicating contentment.

40s

  • Breast cancer screening:
    If you were assigned female at birth, get screened annually for breast cancer, including a clinical breast exam, beginning at age 40. If you are transgender, talk with your health care provider about breast cancer screening.
  • Cervical cancer screening:
    If you have a cervix, screen for cervical cancer with a Pap test combined with an HPV test every 5 years (co-testing), an HPV test every 5 years, or a Pap test every 3 years.
  • Colorectal cancer screening:
    Begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45. Talk with your health care provider about screening test options and intervals.
  • Prostate cancer screening:
    If you have a prostate gland and are Black, talk with your health care provider about the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening beginning at age 45.
  • Oral cancer check:
    Visit your dentist every 6 months and ask for an oral cancer exam.
  • Hepatitis B vaccine:
    If you haven’t been vaccinated against hepatitis B (a leading cause of liver cancer), talk with your health care provider about getting vaccinated now.
  • Hepatitis C test:
    Get tested at least once in your lifetime for hepatitis C (a leading cause of liver cancer).
  • Skin cancer check:
    Get an annual skin check.
  • Testicular cancer check:
    If you have testicles, ask your health care provider to examine them during your routine physical and talk with them about self-exams. Performing a self-exam can help you get to know what is normal for you. If you notice a change, see your health care provider right away.

50s

  • Breast cancer screening:
    If you were assigned female at birth, get screened annually for breast cancer, including a clinical breast exam, beginning at age 40. If you are transgender, talk with your health care provider about breast cancer screening.
  • Cervical cancer screening:
    If you have a cervix, screen for cervical cancer with a Pap test combined with an HPV test (co-testing) every 5 years, an HPV test every 5 years, or a Pap test every 3 years.
  • Colorectal cancer screening:
    Get screened for colorectal cancer. Talk with your health care provider about screening test options and intervals.
  • Lung cancer screening:*
    If you smoke cigarettes or have quit within the past 15 years and have at least a 20 pack-year history (equal to a pack a day for 20 years), talk with your health care provider about getting screened for lung cancer.
  • Prostate cancer screening:
    If you have a prostate gland, talk with your health care provider about the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening.
  • Oral cancer check:
    Visit your dentist every 6 months and ask for an oral cancer exam.
  • Hepatitis B vaccine:
    If you haven’t been vaccinated against hepatitis B (a leading cause of liver cancer) , talk with your health care provider about getting vaccinated now.
  • Hepatitis C test:
    Get tested at least once in your lifetime for hepatitis C (a leading cause of liver cancer).
  • Skin cancer check:
    Get an annual skin check.
  • Testicular cancer check:
    If you have testicles, ask your health care provider to examine them during your routine physical and talk with them about self-exams. Performing a self-exam can help you get to know what is normal for you. If you notice a change, see your health care provider right away.
A senior man and woman are standing side by side in a kitchen preparing a meal. Both are wearing aprons and grinning broadly.

60s

  • Breast cancer screening:
    If you were assigned female at birth, get screened annually for breast cancer, including a clinical breast exam, beginning at age 40. If you are transgender, talk with your health care provider about breast cancer screening.
  • Cervical cancer screening: If you have a cervix, screen for cervical cancer with a Pap test combined with an HPV test (co-testing) every 5 years, an HPV test every 5 years, or a Pap test every 3 years up to age 65. Speak with your health care provider to determine if screening is recommended for you after age 65.
  • Colorectal cancer screening:
    Get screened for colorectal cancer. Talk with your health care provider about screening test options and intervals.
  • Lung cancer screening:*
    If you smoke cigarettes or have quit within the past 15 years and have at least a 20 pack-year history (equal to a pack a day for 20 years), talk with your health care provider about getting screened for lung cancer.
  • Prostate cancer screening:
    If you have a prostate gland, talk with your health care provider about the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening.
  • Oral cancer check:
    Visit your dentist every 6 months and ask for an oral cancer exam.
  • Hepatitis B vaccine:
    If you haven’t been vaccinated against hepatitis B (a leading cause of liver cancer), talk with your health care provider about your risk for hepatitis B infection. The vaccine is recommended for those age 60 and over if at high risk for hepatitis B infection. (Adults ages 60 and up who are not at increased risk may also be vaccinated.)
  • Hepatitis C test:
    Get tested at least once in your lifetime for hepatitis C  (a leading cause of liver cancer).
  • Skin cancer check:
    Get an annual skin check.
  • Testicular cancer check:
    If you have testicles, ask your health care provider to examine them during your routine physical and talk with them about self-exams. Performing a self-exam can help you get to know what is normal for you. If you notice a change, see your health care provider right away.

70s

  • Breast cancer screening:
    If you were assigned female at birth, get screened annually for breast cancer, including a clinical breast exam, beginning at age 40. If you are transgender, talk with your health care provider about breast cancer screening.
  • Cervical cancer screening:
    If you have a cervix, speak with your health care provider to determine if cervical cancer screening is recommended for you.
  • Colorectal cancer screening:
    Get screened for colorectal cancer until age 75. Talk with your health care provider about screening test options and intervals.
  • Oral cancer check:
    Visit your dentist every 6 months and ask for an oral cancer exam.
  • Lung cancer screening:*
    If you smoke cigarettes or have quit within the past 15 years and have at least a 20 pack-year history(equal to a pack a day for 20 years), talk with your health care provider about getting screened for lung cancer.
  • Prostate cancer screening:
    If you have a prostate gland, talk to your health care provider about screening for prostate cancer.
  • Hepatitis B vaccine:
    If you haven’t been vaccinated against hepatitis B (a leading cause of liver cancer), talk with your health care provider about  your risk for hepatitis B infection. The vaccine is recommended for those age 60 and over if at high risk for hepatitis B infection.   (Adults ages 60 and up who are not at increased risk may also be vaccinated.)
  • Hepatitis C test:
    Get tested at least once in your lifetime for hepatitis C, a leading cause of liver cancer.
  • Skin cancer check:
    Get an annual skin check.
  • Testicular cancer check:
    If you have testicles, ask your health care provider to examine them during your routine physical and talk with them about self-exams. Performing a self-exam can help you get to know what is normal for you. If you notice a change, see your health care provider right away.
A close portrait of a senior couple at a piano. A woman is seated in front of the piano and is playing. The man is to her left and leaning in and on the piano. Both are smiling.

80s

  • Breast cancer screening:
    If you were assigned female at birth, get screened annually for breast cancer, including a clinical breast exam, beginning at age 40. If you are transgender, talk with your health care provider about breast cancer screening.
  • Oral cancer check:
    Visit your dentist every 6 months and ask for an oral cancer exam.
  • Lung cancer screening:*
    If you smoke cigarettes or have quit within the past 15 years and have at least a 20 pack-year history (equal to a pack a day for 20 years), talk with your health care provider about getting screened for lung cancer through age 80.
  • Prostate cancer screening:
    If you have a prostate gland, talk to your health care provider about screening for prostate cancer.
  • Skin cancer check:
    Get an annual skin check.
  • Testicular cancer check:
    If you have testicles, ask your health care provider to examine them during your routine physical and talk with them about self-exams. Performing a self-exam can help you get to know what is normal for you. If you notice a change, see your health care provider right away.
  • Hepatitis C test:
    Get tested at least once in your lifetime for hepatitis C (a leading cause of liver cancer).

Download a screening and vaccination overview chart

 

*Recommendations on routine lung cancer screening differ slightly between the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Per the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies are required to cover lung cancer screening based on the current USPSTF guidelines, but some may choose to cover services for additional groups. Check with your insurance provider to find out if you’ll be covered for routine lung cancer screening.

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