Cancer screening examinations are medical tests performed when you don't have any symptoms--when you're healthy. They help to ensure that cancers are identified at their earliest, most treatable, stages.

Take time to discuss your own cancer risks with your healthcare provider, who can best advise you on the screening exams and risk-reduction strategies that are right for you. Your healthcare provider can let you know about the benefits, limitations, and potential harms of cancer screening so you can make an informed decision about testing.

Breast cancer:

All women should be familiar with their breasts so that they will notice any changes and report them to their doctor without delay.

• Between the ages of 20 and 39: Clinical breast exam (an examination of your breasts by your doctor) every one to three years.
• Age 40 and older: Yearly mammograms and clinical breast exams, continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.

Colorectal cancer:

Beginning at age 50, men and women should follow one of the five examination schedules below. All positive tests should be followed up with colonoscopy.

1. Colonoscopy every 10 years.
2. Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT)--both of which are take-home tests--annually.
3. Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years.
4. Annual FOBT or FIT and flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years. Having both of these tests generally is recommended over either test alone.
5. Double-contrast barium enema every five years.

Prostate cancer:

Screening risks and benefits should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

• For men at increased risk: Annual digital rectal exam (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test beginning at age 45. African-American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer are at increased risk
• For men at average risk: Annual DRE and PSA blood test beginning at age 50

Cervical cancer:

• Beginning three years after initiating vaginal intercourse, but no later than age 21, annual Pap test with pelvic exam
• Beginning at age 30 and depending on risk factors, after three or more consecutive exams with normal findings, a physician and patient may choose to do them less frequently.

Skin cancer:

Promptly show your doctor any:

• Suspicious skin area
• Non-healing sore
• Change in a mole or freckle.

Endometrial, Ovarian, and Lung cancer:

Benefits of screening for individuals at average risk for these cancers have not yet beenproven, and screening is therefore not recommended.

For women with hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, annual endometrial biopsy is recommended beginning at age 35.

For women with a hereditary ovarian cancer syndrome, annual or semi-annual:

• Pelvic exam
• CA125 blood test
• Transvaginal ultrasound (on the advice of your doctor)