As a woman, there’s a 1 in 3 chance you will be diagnosed with cancer during your lifetime. That’s why it is so important to keep up to date with your cancer screenings. Here are the testing recommendations for five of the most common types of cancer for women.
Breast Cancer Screening (Mammogram)
Age 40 to 44: Women have the option to begin having a yearly mammogram
Age 45 to 54: All women should have a mammogram every year
55 and older: Continue yearly screening or switch to every two years
Colorectal Cancer Screening (Colonoscopy)
Age 45: Start regular screenings if you have an average risk for colorectal cancer and continue through age 75.
Age 76 thought 85: Talk with your primary care provider about whether you should continue screening.
Age 86 and older: Colorectal cancer screening no longer required.
Cervical Cancer Screening (HPV and Pap test)
Between the ages of 25 and 65: Women should have a primary HPV test every 5 years. If that is not available, women should have a Pap test every 3 years.
Over age 65: Testing is not required if you have had cervical cancer testing in the past 10 years with normal results.
Important Note: There are some exceptions to these general recommendations. For example, women with a health history of serious cervical pre-cancer need to be tested 25 years after their diagnosis, even after age 65. Be sure to discuss your screening schedule for cervical cancer with your primary care provider.
Annual Lung Cancer Screening (Low-Dose CT Scan)
Between the ages of 50 and 80: Women in this age range should be screened if they currently smoke or have quit in the last 15 years AND have at least a 20 pack-year smoking history. Your pack-year smoking history is the number of packs of cigarettes per day multiplied by the number of years smoked. Example: 2 packs smoked per day x 10 years = 20 pack-years of smoking.)
Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer
Menopausal women should ask their primary care provider about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer.
Source: American Cancer Society