Cancer Screenings and Prevention

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. Unless otherwise noted, this chart follows screening guidelines of the American Cancer Society and are intended for those persons at average risk.

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

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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, and prostate, may place you at higher risk for the development of cancer.

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 is a Pap test every three 3 years.
ORAL CANCER CHECK: Visit your dentist every 6 months and ask for an oral cancer exam.
If you haven’t been vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV), talk with your health care provider about getting vaccinated now. HPV can cause up to 6 types of cancer and the HPV vaccine can help to protect against it and is recommended up to age 26.

If you haven’t been vaccinated against hepatitis B (HBV), talk with your health care provider about getting vaccinated now.
Get tested at least once 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.
If you haven’t been vaccinated against hepatitis B (HBV), talk with your health care provider about getting vaccinated now. The vaccine is recommended up to age 59 for those at average risk.

Get tested at least once for hepatitis C, a leading cause of liver cancer, between ages 18-79.
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.

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.
If you haven’t been vaccinated against hepatitis B (HBV), talk with your health care provider about getting vaccinated now. The vaccine is recommended up to age 59 for those at average risk. 
Get tested at least once for hepatitis C, a leading cause of liver cancer, between ages 18-79.   
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 or have quit within the past 15 years and have at least a 20-pack year history of smoking (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 beginning at age 50.
ORAL CANCER CHECK: Visit your dentist every 6 months and ask for an oral cancer exam.
If you haven’t been vaccinated against hepatitis B (HBV), talk with your health care provider about getting vaccinated now. The vaccine is recommended up to age 59 for those at average risk. 
Get tested at least once for hepatitis C, a leading cause of liver cancer, between ages 18-79.  
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.

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 or have quit within the past 15 years and have at least a 20-pack year history of smoking (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.
If you haven’t been vaccinated against hepatitis B (HBV), talk with your health care provider about whether you have factors that place you at high risk for HBV infection. The vaccine is recommended for those age 60 and over if at high risk for HBV infection. 
Get tested at least once for hepatitis C, a leading cause of liver cancer, between ages 18-79.   
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 after age 65.  
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 or have quit within the past 15 years and have at least a 20 pack-year history of smoking (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. 
If you haven’t been vaccinated against hepatitis B (HBV), talk with your health care provider about whether you have factors that place you at high risk for HBV infection. The vaccine is recommended for those age 60 and over if at high risk for HBV infection. 
Get tested at least once for hepatitis C, a leading cause of liver cancer, between ages 18-79.   
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.

80s

Unless told differently by your health care provider:

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 or have quit within the past 15 years and have at least a 20 pack-year history of smoking (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.

Screening & Vaccination Overview Chart (8.5×11 in)

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