Screening Guidelines
Summary of American Cancer Society Recommendations for the Early Detection of Cancer in Asymptomatic People
©2004, American Cancer Society, Inc.
| Site |
Recommendation |
| Cancer-related Checkup |
It is recommended that the cancer-related checkup occur during a general periodic health examination, rather than as a stand-along examination done at a specific interval based on a person's age. This examination should include health counseling and depending on a person's age, might include examinations for cancers of the thyroid, oral cavity, skin, lymph nodes, testes, and ovaries, as well as for some nonmalignant diseases. |
| Breast |
Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) every three years by a health care professional. Women aged 40 and older should have an annual (CBE) by a health care professional and an annual mammogram. Monthly breast self-examination is an option for all women starting in their 20s. Any breast changes should be promptly reported to a health care professional. Women at increased risk (e.g., family history, genetic tendency, past breast cancer) should talk with their health care providers about the benefits and limitations of starting mammography screening earlier, having additional tests (e.g., breast ultrasound or MRI), or having more frequent exams. |
| Colon & Rectum |
Beginning at age 50, men and women should follow one of these five testing schedules:
• 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
* For FOBT, the take-home multiple sample method should be used.
**The combination of FOBT and flexible sigmoidoscopy is preferred over either of these two tests alone. People with colorectal risk factors should talk with their health care provider regarding beginning colorectal cancer screening earlier and/or undergo screening more often. |
| Prostate |
Both the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and the digital rectal examination (DRE) should be offered annually, beginning at age 50, to men who have at least a 10 year life expectancy. Men at high risk (African-American men and men with a strong family of one or more first-degree relatives (father, brothers) diagnosed at an early age) should begin testing at age 45. Men at even higher risk, due to multiple first-degree relatives affected at an early age, could begin testing at age 40. Depending on the results of this initial test, no further testing might be needed until age 45. |
| Uterus |
All women should begin cervical cancer screening about 3 years after they begin having vaginal intercourse, but no later than when they are 21 years old. Screening should be done every year with the regular Pap test or every 2 years using the newer liquid-based Pap test. Beginning at age 30, women who have had 3 normal Pap test results in a row may get screened every 2 to 3 years. Testing schedules may vary depending up individual medical history. |
| Endometrium |
All women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer, and are strongly encouraged to report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their health care professional. For women with or at high risk for hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC), annual screening should be offered for endometrial cancer with endometrial biopsy beginning at age 35. |
