Get regular cancer screenings. If your doctor doesn’t talk to you about cancer screening, be sure to ask!
Screening recommendations for prostate cancer: If you are aged 55 to 69 years, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of the prostate cancer screening. An informed decision should be made with your doctor about whether being screened for prostate cancer is right for you.
Screening recommendations for cervical cancer: If you are 21-29: You should be screened every three years. If you are 30-65: you should be screened every three to five years, depending on the testing approach. If you are 65 or older, discuss continued screening with your doctor as you may be able to stop screening.
Screening recommendations for breast cancer: Get regular mammograms. While there are different guidelines, these are from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)(PDF). If you are between the ages of 50 and 74, you should get a mammogram every 2 years. If you are under 49 or over 75, talk to your doctor about when to get a mammogram. If your doctor doesn’t talk to you about a mammogram, ask him or her.
Screening recommendations for colorectal cancer: Start by talking with your doctor about your family history of colon and rectal cancers and find out when you should get screened and what type of colon cancer screening is best for you. If you have no personal or family history of abnormal results, get screened for colorectal cancer starting at age 45 years. Several screening options are available, including an exam that looks at the colon and rectum (a visual exam), or a test that looks for signs of cancer in a person's stool (a stool-based test). All colon cancer screening tests, including stool-based ones, are covered under the Affordable Care Act and may be an option if your doctor orders it. Also, talk to your doctor about when you need to be re-screened depending on your screening option.
Reference: US Preventive ServicesTask Force