The following cancer screening guidelines are recommended for
those people at average risk for cancer (unless otherwise
specified) and without any specific symptoms. People who are at
increased risk for certain cancers may need to follow a
different screening schedule, such as starting at an earlier age
or being screened more often. Those with symptoms that could be
related to cancer should see their doctor right away. For people
age 20 or older having periodic health exams, a cancer-related
checkup should include health counseling, and depending on a
person's age and gender, might include exams for cancers of the
thyroid, oral cavity, skin, lymph nodes, testes and/or ovaries,
as well as for some non-malignant (non-cancerous) diseases.
Special tests for certain cancer sites are recommended as
outlined below. - Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at
age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
- Clinical breast exams (CBEs) should be part of a periodic
health exam, about every three y