Top 5 Cancers (years 2001-2005)

These cancers occur most commonly among 45-64 year olds.

Males
  • Prostate
  • Bronchus & Lung
  • Colon/Rectum
  • Urinary Bladder
  • Melanoma of Skin
Females
  • Breast
  • Bronchus & Lung
  • Uterus
  • Colon/Rectum
  • Melanoma of Skin

Screening Recommendations

Age and Sex Screening Recommendation Screening Locations and Other Information

All women within this age group

For breast cancer: Monthly breast self-exam, annual clinical breast exam, and annual mammogramList of mammography facilities in Massachusetts

Sites for low income, uninsured women:

All women within this age groupFor cervical cancer: Pelvic exam and pap test every 1 - 3 years depending on your level of risk (every 3 years only after you have had 3 consecutive negative results).Sites for low income, uninsured women:
Men age 40 and older of African American heritage or with a family history of prostate cancer

AND

Men age 50 and older		For prostate cancer: Annual digital rectal exam (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test after discussion of risks and benefits of available screening tests.
All men within this age groupFor testicular cancer: Monthly testicular self-exam and a clinical exam every 1 to 3 years.
Women and men age 50 and olderFor colorectal cancer: Home fecal occult blood test every year or flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years or home fecal occult blood test every year and flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years or colonoscopy every 10 years or double-contrast barium enema every 5 years. Each of the screening strategies has advantages and disadvantages. Discuss the options with your health care professional.
All women and men within this age groupFor skin cancer: Periodic skin exams at your health care professional's discretion.

Prevention Strategies

  • Don't smoke. If you do smoke, quit.
  • Eat a healthy diet. Choose 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Limit high fat foods, including red meat, and limit alcohol to 1 to 2 drinks per day.
  • Get 30 minutes of physical activity on 5 or more days of the week.
  • Use sun protection methods, such as protective clothing and sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater) and limit sun exposure during the hours of 10 am and 4 pm.
  • Minimize exposures to cancer-causing agents in your neighborhood and in your workplace.

Related Links

This information is provided by the Department of Public Health.