Cancer screening: which tests and when, by age

In short

• Screening looks for cancer or pre-cancer in people with no symptoms. It is different from testing someone who already has symptoms.
• The USPSTF recommends mammograms every 2 years for women at average risk aged 40 to 74.
• Cervical screening starts at 21 with Pap tests, and between 30 and 65 you can choose HPV testing, co-testing or Pap alone.
• Colorectal cancer screening is recommended from age 45 to 75, with several test options.
• Yearly low-dose CT is recommended for adults aged 50 to 80 with a heavy smoking history who smoke or recently quit.

What screening is and is not

Screening tests people who feel well, hoping to find a cancer early, when it is easier to treat, or to find and remove pre-cancers. It is not a diagnosis. A positive screening test needs follow-up tests to find out whether cancer is really present.

The CDC supports the screenings the USPSTF recommends. For several other cancers, including ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, testicular and thyroid, screening in people without symptoms has not been shown to reduce deaths, and the USPSTF found too little evidence to judge screening for bladder, oral and skin cancer.

Breast cancer

The USPSTF recommends a mammogram every 2 years for women aged 40 to 74 at average risk of breast cancer. Women at higher than average risk may need a different schedule. Most insurance plans must cover screening mammograms every 1 to 2 years from age 40 with no out-of-pocket cost, and the CDC runs a national program that offers free or low-cost mammograms.

Mammograms can find breast cancer early, but they cannot prevent it. Possible downsides are false positives that lead to more tests, overdiagnosis of cancers that would never have caused problems, missed cancers and, rarely, small radiation exposure.

Cervical cancer

• Ages 21 to 29: Pap test. If results are normal, your provider may say you can wait three years before the next one.
• Ages 30 to 65: choose one option with your provider. An HPV test alone or HPV plus Pap together every five years, or a Pap test alone every three years.
• Over 65: you may be able to stop if you meet the criteria, such as at least three normal Pap tests or two negative HPV tests in the past 10 years and no history of cervical precancer.

The Pap test looks for abnormal cervical cells that could become cancer if untreated. The HPV test looks for the human papillomavirus that can cause those changes.

Colorectal cancer

The USPSTF recommends screening for adults aged 45 to 75, and for ages 76 to 85 it is an individual decision to discuss with your provider. Options include:

• A home stool test: FIT or the guaiac test every year, or a stool DNA test (FIT-DNA) every 3 years.
• Colonoscopy every 10 years if you are not at higher risk. It examines the whole colon and can remove most polyps.
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or every 10 years combined with a yearly FIT.
• CT colonography every 5 years.

An abnormal result on a stool test, sigmoidoscopy or CT colonography requires a colonoscopy to complete screening. People with inflammatory bowel disease, a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, or an inherited syndrome may need earlier or more frequent screening. Most health plans cover colorectal screening with no deductible or co-pay.

Lung and prostate cancer

Lung cancer screening is a yearly low-dose CT scan for adults who meet all three conditions: age 50 to 80, a smoking history of 20 pack-years or more, and currently smoking or having quit within the past 15 years. A pack-year means smoking an average of one pack a day for a year. Screening should stop at age 81, after 15 years without smoking or if a health problem would make surgery unsafe or unwanted.

For prostate cancer, the USPSTF advises men aged 55 to 69 to make their own decision with their provider about a PSA blood test, and recommends against routine screening from age 70. PSA levels are affected by age, race, medicines, an enlarged prostate and infection, so a doctor should interpret any result. Most prostate cancers grow slowly and do not cause health problems.

When to see a doctor, and red flags

Talk with your primary care provider about which screenings are right for you, particularly if you have a family history of cancer, a genetic syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease or a heavy smoking history. They can also tell you where free or low-cost screening is available.

Do not wait for a screening date if you notice a new lump, bleeding that is not normal for you, a persistent change in bowel habits, a cough that will not go away or unexplained weight loss. Call 911 for severe pain, heavy bleeding or trouble breathing.

Benefits and trade-offs

Screening can find cancer early or prevent it by removing pre-cancers, as with polyps found in colorectal screening. The trade-offs are false positives, which can mean extra tests, cost and worry, and overdiagnosis, which can mean treatment for a cancer that would never have caused trouble. The right choice depends on your age, risk and preferences, so use the visit to weigh them.

1. Which screenings are recommended for me at my age and risk?
2. Which test option suits me best?
3. How do I find free or low-cost screening?
4. What happens if a result is abnormal?

Questions and answers

Sources

1. CDC — Cancer Screening Tests
2. CDC — Breast Cancer Screening
3. CDC — Cervical Cancer Screening
4. CDC — Colorectal Cancer Screening
5. CDC — Lung Cancer Screening
6. CDC — Prostate Cancer Screening

Sources checked on 29 October 2026.