Cancer Screening
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Helping detect risk earlier and support more informed health decisions
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Screening Recommendations for Common Cancers
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Cancer Prevention Essentials
Helping Detect Risk Earlier and Support More
Informed Health Decisions
Cancer screening refers to tests used to detect cancer or precancerous changes before symptoms appear. For some cancers, appropriate screening can help identify disease at an earlier stage, when treatment options may be broader and outcomes may be improved. The American Cancer Society (ACS) provides screening recommendations for several common cancers to help guide conversations between individuals and their healthcare providers.
Screening is not one-size-fits-all. The right approach depends on factors such as age, family history, medical history, lifestyle, and individual risk. A screening plan should always be considered in the context of a person's overall health and discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.
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Why Screening Matters ?
Many cancers may not cause noticeable symptoms in their early stages. The goal of screening is not only to detect cancer early, but also, in some cases, to identify precancerous changes before cancer develops. Regular screening, awareness of personal risk, and timely medical consultation are all important parts of proactive health management.
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Important Note
This content is intended for general health education only. It does not replace medical evaluation, diagnosis, or individualized clinical advice. Screening decisions should be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.
Source
Adapted from the American Cancer Society publication American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Early Detection of Cancer. The document indicates that the material is copyrighted and that reuse should follow its content usage policy. The PDF provided is marked Last Revised: December 4, 2025.
Screening Recommendations for
Common Cancers
Cancer prevention is not only about lowering risk through healthy habits. It also includes using evidence-based screening to detect certain cancers early or, in some cases, to identify precancerous changes before cancer develops. Screening recommendations are not the same for everyone. They vary by age, sex, personal and family history, and overall risk profile. The following overview outlines commonly recommended screening approaches for several major cancers and highlights where individualized discussion with a healthcare provider is especially important.
Colorectal Cancer Screening5
For women at average risk, breast cancer screening is generally based on mammography.
The American Cancer Society recommends that:
- Women ages 40 to 44 should have the option to start annual mammograms if they wish to do so.
- Women ages 45 to 54 should receive mammograms every year.
- Women 55 and older should transition to screening every 2 years, or may choose to continue annual screening.
- Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live at least 10 more years.
Women should also understand the potential benefits, limitations, and possible harms of screening. Those with certain risk factors, lsuch as a strong family history or genetic predisposition, may need additional screening, including MRI, in addition to mammography.
Any noticeable breast changes should be reported promptly to a healthcare provider.
Colorectal Cancer Screening4
For women at average risk, breast cancer screening is generally based on mammography.
The American Cancer Society recommends that:
- Women ages 40 to 44 should have the option to start annual mammograms if they wish to do so.
- Women ages 45 to 54 should receive mammograms every year.
- Women 55 and older should transition to screening every 2 years, or may choose to continue annual screening.
- Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live at least 10 more years.
Women should also understand the potential benefits, limitations, and possible harms of screening. Those with certain risk factors, such as a strong family history or genetic predisposition, may need additional screening, including MRI, in addition to mammography.
Any noticeable breast changes should be reported promptly to a healthcare provider.
Colorectal Cancer Screening3
For women at average risk, breast cancer screening is generally based on mammography.
The American Cancer Society recommends that:
- Women ages 40 to 44 should have the option to start annual mammograms if they wish to do so.
- Women ages 45 to 54 should receive mammograms every year.
- Women 55 and older should transition to screening every 2 years, or may choose to continue annual screening.
- Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live at least 10 more years.
Women should also understand the potential benefits, limitations, and possible harms of screening. Those with certain risk factors, lsuch as a strong family history or genetic predisposition, may need additional screening, including MRI, in addition to mammography.
Any noticeable breast changes should be reported promptly to a healthcare provider.
Colorectal Cancer Screening2
For women at average risk, breast cancer screening is generally based on mammography.
The American Cancer Society recommends that:
- Women ages 40 to 44 should have the option to start annual mammograms if they wish to do so.
- Women ages 45 to 54 should receive mammograms every year.
- Women 55 and older should transition to screening every 2 years, or may choose to continue annual screening.
- Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live at least 10 more years.
Women should also understand the potential benefits, limitations, and possible harms of screening. Those with certain risk factors, lsuch as a strong family history or genetic predisposition, may need additional screening, including MRI, in addition to mammography.
Any noticeable breast changes should be reported promptly to a healthcare provider.
Colorectal Cancer Screening
For women at average risk, breast cancer screening is generally based on mammography.
The American Cancer Society recommends that:
- Women ages 40 to 44 should have the option to start annual mammograms if they wish to do so.
- Women ages 45 to 54 should receive mammograms every year.
- Women 55 and older should transition to screening every 2 years, or may choose to continue annual screening.
- Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live at least 10 more years.
Women should also understand the potential benefits, limitations, and possible harms of screening. Those with certain risk factors, lsuch as a strong family history or genetic predisposition, may need additional screening, including MRI, in addition to mammography.
Any noticeable breast changes should be reported promptly to a healthcare provider.
Cancer Prevention Essentials
Effective cancer prevention also includes knowing when more individualized medical advice is needed. While general recommendations provide a useful starting point, personal risk can vary based on family history, smoking exposure, prior medical findings, symptoms, and overall health status. In these situations, a discussion with a healthcare professional can help clarify risk, guide appropriate screening choices, and determine whether any further evaluation is warranted.
When to Speak With a Doctor
A more individualized discussion with a healthcare professional is especially important if you:
have a family history of cancer- have a significant
smoking history
- have had prior
precancerous conditions or relevant medical problems
- are experiencing
persistent or unusual symptoms
- are unsure whether you
are at higher risk
- are uncertain which
screening option is most appropriate
These guidelines provide a general framework, but personal healthcare decisions should always take into account individual age, health status, and risk profile.
