A general cancer related checkup is recommended every three years for people ages 20 to 39, and annually for people 40 and older. The checkup should include examinations for cancers of the thyroid, ovaries, lymph nodes, oral cavity and skin.  This visit should also include health counseling about tobacco, sun exposure, diet & nutrition, personal risk factors, sexual practices, and environmental and occupational exposure to carcinogens.

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Breast Cancer

• Ages 20 - 39
  • Do a breast self-exam each month. Click here for information on how to perform a breast self-exam.
  • Have a clinical breast exam by a healthcare professional every three years.
    

• Age 40 and over
  • Have a mammogram every year.
  • Have a clinical breast exam by a health care professional every year close to, and preferably, before the mammogram.
  • Do a breast self-exam each month. Click here for information on how to perform a breast self-exam.

For more detailed information about breast cancer screening methods, read here.

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Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening

Beginning at age 50 there are many options for colon and rectal cancer screenings.  For detailed information about colon and rectal cancer screening methods, click here.  For current screening guidelines, please read below. 

People age 50 and older should have one of the following: 

• Colonoscopy every ten years (Gold Standard) -OR- 
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years -OR- 
• Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year and flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years -OR- 
• Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year -OR- 
• Double-contrast barium enema every five to ten years

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Cervical Cancer

• After the age of 18, women should have a Pap test annually. If they are normal three years in a row, your healthcare practitioner will tell you how often to have them.

For more detailed information about cervical cancer screening methods, read here.

___________________________________________________________________  Skin Cancer Screening 

• At least once a year, a person should have a clinical skin exam, either by their usual provider or by a dermatologist. A clinical skin exam is a visual exam of the skin done by a trained healthcare professional. Click here for information on how to perform a self examination.

Read here for more detailed information regarding skin cancer screening.