Cancer Screenings

Cancer screening tests aim to find cancer before it causes symptoms and when it may be easier to treat successfully. Discover which cancer screenings you should get in each decade of your life.

What you need to know

Women:

20s – 60s

Cervical Cancer – Beginning at age 25, primary HPV test every five years (preferred), pap test every three or five years.

40s & 50s

Breast Cancer – Mammogram every year, starting at age 45. Mammogram every two years starting at age 55.
Colorectal Cancer – Start at age 45. Talk to your doctor about screening options.

60s – 70+

Breast Cancer – Mammogram every two years.
Cervical Cancer – Women who have been screened regularly and had normal results can stop screening after age 65. If you had serious cervical pre-cancer in the past 25 years, continue screening.

Men:

40s

Colorectal Cancer – Start at age 45. Talk to your doctor about screening options.
Prostate Cancer – African American men should talk with their doctor about the pros and cons of screening at age 45.

50s – 70+

Colorectal Cancer – Talk to your doctor about screening options.
Prostate Cancer – Beginning at age 50, talk to your doctor about the pros andcons of screening.

Warning Signs
Your two biggest allies when it comes to protecting yourself against cancer are curiosity and vigilance. Curiosity can send you looking for abnormalities, even before signs or symptoms suggest there’s a problem. Vigilance can help you spot potential symptoms of cancer and bring them to your provider’s attention so they can be evaluated.

Symptoms to watch for
• Unexplained weight loss
• Excess or worsening fatigue
• Unexplained pain
• Skin changes
• Change in bowel habits or bladder function
• Sores that don’t heal
• Unusual bleeding or discharge
• A thickening or lump
• Indigestion or trouble swallowing
• Ongoing hoarseness or cough

Remember, having a sign or symptom of cancer isn’t confirmation of the disease. But it never hurts to be cautious.

How we can help

The providers at Goldschmidt Cancer Center at CRMC are here to help, from diagnosis and treatment to post-cancer care. Our innovative team of surgeons, cancer specialists, clinical trial experts, oncology nurses, support providers, and a survivorship navigator work together to provide advanced medicine to overcome a cancer diagnosis. Note: This information is intended as a general guide.

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