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Cancer Screening Guidelines

For average risk adults.
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Why should I get screened?

Cancer screening can find cancers earlier, when treatment is more likely to be successful. In some cases, screening can even prevent cancer before it develops.

What’s my risk?

No one can predict who will get cancer and who will not. Some cancers run in families. Cancer can also be caused by the conditions where we live and work, and by our lifestyle. Racism and other forms of oppression impact all of these factors, including our ability to access health care. Those of us with no personal or family history of cancer and no factors that increase risk are at an average risk for cancer.

Talk to your provider about screening. It’s the best thing we can do for ourselves and our loved ones.

Cancer Screening Guidelines

Screening guidelines are based on the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPST) recommendations. As our understanding of cancer improves, these guidelines can change. Always check with your provider about what screening is best for you.

AgeScreening
All agesSkin Cancer
Talk to your medical provider about any changes to your skin or if you have symptoms such as changes in the size, shape, or color of skin growths, or if you have irregular moles.
21-29Cervical Cancer
If you have a cervix, Pap test is recommended every 3 years beginning at age 21.
30-39

Cervical Cancer

  • Pap test every 3 years or
  • HPV test every 5 years or
  • Both a Pap and HPV test every 5 years
40-49

Breast Cancer
If you have breast/chest tissue, mammograms are recommended every 2 years beginning at age 40.

Cervical Cancer
Continue Pap test and/or HPV testing.

Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer screening is recommended beginning at age 45. Options include a colonoscopy or an at-home stool-based test. Frequency depends on the type of screening test you choose.

50+

Lung Cancer
If you have a history of smoking and are age 50-80, talk to your medical provider about your risk and if getting a low-dose CT scan every year is right for you.

Prostate Cancer
From age 55 to 69, if you have a prostate, talk to your medical provider about your risk and if a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test is right for you.

Breast Cancer
Continue mammograms every 2 years, until age 74.

Cervical Cancer
Continue Pap test and/or HPV testing, until age 65.

Colorectal Cancer
Continue screening for colorectal cancer, until age 75. After age 75, discuss with your medical provider whether to continue screening.

Questions you can ask your medical provider

  • What cancer screening tests do you recommend for me?
  • Where can I go to get screened?
  • How do I schedule my screening tests?
  • How can I get help paying for screening tests if they are not covered by my health insurance?
  • Are there different screening options available?
  • Are there special cancer screening recommendations for people who have had gender affirming surgery?
  • Is the screening approach, site, and equipment accessible for persons with disabilities?
  • Are there at-home options for any of the suggested screening tests?

Questions you can ask your health insurance provider

  • Do I need to pay for cancer screening tests?
  • What will I need to pay if I have follow-up visits or more tests after the screening?
  • Are there any doctors, hospitals, or testing facilities I should use for my screening tests?
  • How do I tell if a doctor, hospital, or testing facility is covered by my insurance?
    • If a doctor, hospital, or testing facility isn’t covered by my insurance, what will my expected costs be?
  • Do I need to get insurance approval for any screening tests?

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