How Often Should You Get Cancer Screening Based on Your Age?

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU GET CANCER SCREENING BASED ON YOUR AGE?

Cancer screening isn’t one-size-fits-all Breast Cancer​. Your age, family history, and risk factors determine when and how often you should get checked. Below are hyper-specific, age-based guidelines to follow—so you know exactly what to ask your doctor at your next visit.

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EARLY ADULTHOOD (20s–30s): THE FOUNDATIONAL CHECKS

**START ANNUAL SKIN EXAMS IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY HISTORY OF MELANOMA.**
Book a full-body skin check with a dermatologist every 12 months if a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, child) had melanoma. Use a phone app like MoleMapper to track moles between visits—flag any that change shape, color, or size.

**GET A PAP SMEAR EVERY 3 YEARS STARTING AT AGE 21, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT SEXUALLY ACTIVE.**
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) confirms this interval applies regardless of sexual history. If results are abnormal, your doctor may switch to HPV co-testing (Pap + HPV) every 5 years after age 30.

**REQUEST A BASELINE COLONOSCOPY AT 30 IF YOU HAVE A FIRST-DEGREE RELATIVE WITH COLORECTAL CANCER.**
Most guidelines suggest starting at 45, but if a parent or sibling was diagnosed before age 60, move your first scope up to 30. Repeat every 5 years if polyps are found; otherwise, every 10 years.

**ASK YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT THYROID ULTRASOUND IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY HISTORY OF THYROID CANCER.**
If a parent, sibling, or child had thyroid cancer, get a baseline ultrasound at 25. Repeat every 2–3 years if nodules are present; otherwise, every 5 years.

**BEGIN ANNUAL TESTICULAR EXAMS IF YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF UNDESCENDED TESTICLES OR FAMILY HISTORY OF TESTICULAR CANCER.**
Self-exams in the shower are key—roll each testicle between your fingers to feel for hard lumps. If you notice swelling or pain, schedule an ultrasound within 2 weeks.

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MIDLIFE (40s–50s): THE PREVENTIVE PUSH

**SWITCH TO ANNUAL MAMMOGRAMS AT 40 IF YOU HAVE DENSE BREASTS OR A FIRST-DEGREE RELATIVE WITH BREAST CANCER.**
The American College of Radiology recommends starting at 40 for high-risk women. If your mammogram report says “dense breast tissue,” ask for a 3D mammogram or breast MRI—these catch 20–30% more cancers.

**GET A LOW-DOSE CT SCAN FOR LUNG CANCER AT 50 IF YOU SMOKED A PACK A DAY FOR 20+ YEARS (OR 2 PACKS FOR 10+ YEARS).**
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) covers this scan annually if you’re 50–80 and still smoke or quit within the last 15 years. Bring your smoking history to your primary care visit—your doctor will calculate your “pack-years.”

**START COLONOSCOPIES AT 45 FOR AVERAGE-RISK ADULTS, BUT EVERY 3 YEARS IF YOU HAVE INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE (IBD).**
If you have Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, your risk jumps 2–3x. Schedule your first scope 8–10 years after diagnosis, then every 1–3 years based on findings.

**ADD ANNUAL PSA TESTS AT 45 IF YOU’RE BLACK OR HAVE A FAMILY HISTORY OF PROSTATE CANCER.**
The American Urological Association suggests Black men start at 45 due to higher risk. If your PSA is above 1.0 ng/mL, repeat every 1–2 years; if it’s below, every 2–4 years.

**GET A BASELINE CA-125 BLOOD TEST AT 40 IF YOU HAVE A FIRST-DEGREE RELATIVE WITH OVARIAN CANCER.**
This test isn’t perfect, but it’s the best tool for high-risk women. Pair it with a transvaginal ultrasound every 6–12 months if your family history includes BRCA mutations.

**REQUEST A HEPATITIS C SCREENING IF YOU WERE BORN BETWEEN 1945–1965.**
The CDC recommends a one-time blood test for all baby boomers—chronic hepatitis C increases liver cancer risk 15–20x. If positive, start antiviral treatment to lower your risk.

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LATER YEARS (60s AND BEYOND): THE HIGH-RISK PHASE

**CONTINUE ANNUAL MAMMOGRAMS UNTIL AT LEAST AGE 75, THEN DECIDE BASED ON LIFE EXPECTANCY.**
The USPSTF says stopping at 75 is reasonable if you’re in poor health, but if you’re active and healthy, keep going. Discuss with your doctor—some women benefit from screening into their 80s.

**SWITCH TO ANNUAL COLONOSCOPIES AT 75 IF YOU’VE HAD POLYPS OR A FAMILY HISTORY OF COLORECTAL CANCER.**
Most guidelines stop at 75, but if you’ve had advanced polyps or a first-degree relative with cancer, keep screening. If you’re healthy, consider stool-based tests (like Cologuard) every 3 years as an alternative.

**GET A LOW-DOSE CT SCAN FOR LUNG CANCER EVERY YEAR UNTIL AGE 80 IF YOU’RE A FORMER SMOKER WHO QUIT WITHIN THE LAST 15 YEARS.**
The USPSTF stops coverage at 80, but if you’re in good health, ask your doctor about continuing. Quitting smoking at any age lowers risk, but screening still catches early-stage cancers.

**ADD ANNUAL PSA TESTS AT 70 IF YOUR LIFE EXPECTANCY IS 10+ YEARS.**
Prostate cancer grows slowly, so screening after 70 only makes sense if you’re likely to live another decade. If your PSA is rising fast, your doctor may recommend a biopsy.

**GET A ONE-TIME ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM (AAA) ULTRASOUND AT 65 IF YOU’VE EVER SMOKED.**
The USPSTF covers this for men 65–75 with a smoking history. If the aneurysm is small (3–4 cm), repeat ultrasounds every 2–3 years; if it’s larger, surgery may be needed.

**CONSIDER ANNUAL SKIN EXAMS IF YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF SQUAMOUS OR BASAL CELL CAR