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Screenings You Need

Wait... what cancer screenings?

Not sure which routine cancer screenings you should schedule? We are here to help! Look at the chart below for information on the cancer screenings you need at every age.

Be sure to ask your health care provider about screenings at your next visit—your needs may differ based on your personal risk factors and family health history. 

Download and print this chart PDF (59 KB)

Find a doctor or book an appointment.

 

Cancer screenings, early detection and prevention snapshot
Talk with your health care provider about any personal or family history of cancer to determine if you should begin any 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 and prostate, may place you at higher risk for the development of cancer. For more detail on screening options and intervals, please see our detailed cancer screenings and prevention chart.
20s & 30s
  • Cervical cancer screening beginning at 21 
  • Dental oral cancer exam 
  • HPV vaccine recommended up to 26 
  • Hepatitis B vaccine if not already vaccinated 
  • Hepatitis C testing at least once between 18-79 
  • Skin check
  • Testicular checks
40s 
  • Breast cancer screening (if transgender, talk with your health care provider) 
  • Cervical cancer screening 
  • Colorectal cancer screening beginning at 45 
  • Dental oral cancer exam 
  • Hepatitis B vaccine if not already vaccinated 
  • Hepatitis C testing at least once between 18-79 
  • Prostate cancer screening discussion beginning at 45 if Black or if close relative had prostate cancer before 65 
  • Skin checks
  • Testicular checks
50s 
  • Breast cancer screening (if transgender, talk with your health care provider)
  • Cervical cancer screening  
  • Colorectal cancer screening 
  • Lung cancer screening (active or past smokers who smoked a pack a day for 20 years) 
  • Prostate cancer screening—talk with your health care provider 
  • Dental oral cancer exam 
  • Hepatitis B vaccine if not already vaccinated 
  • Hepatitis C testing at least once between 18-79 
  • Skin checks 
  • Testicular exams
60s 
  • Breast cancer screening (if transgender, talk with your health care provider) 
  • Cervical cancer screening until 65, then talk with your health care provider 
  • Colorectal cancer screening 
  • Lung cancer screening (active or past smokers who smoked a pack a day for 20 years) 
  • Prostate cancer screening—talk with your health care provider 
  • Dental oral cancer exam 
  • Hepatitis C testing at least once between 18-79 
  • Skin checks 
  • Testicular checks
70s 
  • Breast cancer screening (if transgender, talk to your health care provider) 
  • Cervical cancer screening—talk with your health care provider 
  • Colorectal cancer screening until 75 
  • Lung cancer screening (active or past smokers who smoked a pack a day for 20 years)
  • Prostate cancer screening—talk with your health care provider 
  • Dental oral cancer exam 
  • Hepatitis C testing at least once between 18-79 
  • Skin checks 
  • Testicular checks
80s 
  • Talk with your health care provider about which cancer screenings you should undergo.

 

Zocdoc will donate $35 to the Prevent Cancer Foundation for every appointment booked on this site.

 

Zocdoc helps you find and book top-rated doctors, on demand. Visit them in their offices, or video chat with them from home. Check out doctors in your area .

The (screening) choice is yours

If you missed a colonoscopy and are reluctant to get your appointment back on the books, ask your health care provider about other screening options. There are approved stool-based tests available that can be done without leaving your home.

Please note, however, that not everyone is a candidate for this kind of test (based on risk and other factors), and a positive test would need to be followed up with a colonoscopy. Your insurance plan may require a co-pay for an at-home test or a colonoscopy.

Stay Safe | Screenings You Need | For Your Kids | Insurance Coverage | Statistics | Health Care Provider Toolkit | Foundation Resources

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