Cancer Screenings
As we age, the kinds of screenings we need and the frequency of those screenings evolves. Our gender, family history, preexisting conditions and lifestyle choices may make us more susceptible to certain types of cancer, so regular screenings should be a priority. It’s important to talk with your doctor about the cancer screenings that’re right for you.
Types of Screenings
There are a wide range of cancer screenings available, some of which are more invasive than others. Talking to your doctor about your medical history and the need for certain tests is an important part of the cancer prevention and early detection. While there may be standard recommendations regarding screenings at certain ages, it is important to stay in close communication with your doctor regarding the need for earlier screenings if you are at an increased risk.
Here’s a simple guide where you can learn about different kinds of cancer screenings and take the next step.
Cancer Type | What are My Screening Options? | How do I get screened? |
---|---|---|
Breast | Mammogram (2D & 3D*) Self-Exam Breast Ultrasound Breast MRI |
Schedule your screening mammogram |
Colorectal | Visual (structural) Exams: Colonoscopy* CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) Flexible Sigmoldoscopy Stool-Based Tests: Multi-targeted stool DNA test (MT-sDNA) Guaiac-Based Fecal Occult Blood Test (gFOBT) Fecal ImmunochemicalTest (FIT) |
Talk to your primary care doctor about the screening that’s right for you. Need a referral? Find a doctor. |
Prostate | Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test | Talk to your primary care doctor to schedule. Need a referral? Find a doctor |
Cervical | Cervical Cytology / Pap (Papanicolaou) Test HPV Test | Schedule an appointment with your OB or GYN. Need a referral? Find a doctor. |
Skin | Physical Exam Self-Exam Skin Biopsy |
Schedule an appointment with your dermatologist. Need a referral? Find a doctor. |
Lung | Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) | Talk to your primary care doctor to schedule. Need a referral? Find a doctor. |