Cancer

Diagnostic Tests & Screenings

Since the risk for developing cancer increases with age, the guidelines for yearly cancer screenings are based on age. Remember these guidelines are not rules and apply only to individuals without symptoms or family history. People at an increased risk of cancer may need to start their screenings earlier and screenings may be needed more frequently.

Under age 40
A cancer-related checkup every three years should include screenings listed below and counseling regarding lifestyle behaviors, e.g. tips on weight control and smoking cessation.

• Yearly physical exam by physician
• Monthly self breast exam one week after your monthly cycle

• Yearly pelvic exam with PAP smear

• Exam by physician every three years
• Monthly self exam

Over age 40
Breast

• Yearly physical exam by physician
• Monthly self breast exam one week after your monthly cycle (After menopause, do exam the same date each month)
• Baseline mammogram at age 40, then yearly

• Yearly pelvic exam with PAP smear

(American Cancer Society colorectal cancer screening guidelines)
Beginning at age 50, both men and women should follow one of the five screening options below:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years*
• Yearly fecal occult blood test plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years*
• Double contrast barium enema every 5 years*
• Colonoscopy every 10 years*
• *A digital rectal examination (DRE) should be performed at the time of each screening sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy or barium enema examination.

Prostate

• Yearly digital rectal exam (African-American males should start yearly exams at age 45)
• After age 50, yearly prostate specific antigen (PSA)