What Cancer Screenings Do You Need? A Quick Guide

Follow Drugslib on

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.

By India Edwards HealthDay Reporter

SATURDAY, Feb. 15, 2025 -- Cancer screenings can save lives by detecting cancer early, when treatment is most effective.

With an estimated 2 million new cancer cases expected in 2025, regular screenings are more important than ever, according to the American Cancer Society.

February is National Cancer Prevention Month, which makes it a perfect time to check if you're up to date on the recommended screenings.

Experts from Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health in New Jersey urge individuals to follow the latest cancer screening guidelines based on age, risk factors and family history.

Here are a few things to keep in mind about four key cancer screenings:

Colorectal cancer screening: Start at age 45

Who should get screened?

  • Adults 45 and older should start routine colorectal cancer screenings.
  • People at higher risk due to family history or other factors should talk to their doctor about screening earlier.
  • Regular screening should continue through age 75, with a doctor’s guidance for those between 76 and 85.

    • Screening options

  • Colonoscopy (every 10 years) -- A full colon exam that can detect and remove polyps.
  • Stool-based tests (every 1–3 years) -- Includes FIT, HSgFOBT or stool DNA-FIT.
  • Other options -- Flexible sigmoidoscopy (every 5 years) or CT colonography (every 5 years).

    • Breast cancer screening: Start at age 40

    Who should get screened?

  • Women who are 40 to 54 years of age should get a mammogram every year to check for breast cancer.
  • Women 55 and older can switch to every two years or continue annual screening.
  • Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and has a life expectancy of at least 10 more years.

    • Screening options

  • Mammogram -- A low-dose X-ray to detect breast abnormalities.
  • Additional tests -- Women with dense breasts can discuss ultrasound or MRI with their doctor.

    • Lung cancer screening: For high-risk adults

    Who should get screened?

  • Adults between 50 and 80 years of age with a 20 pack/year smoking history who currently smoke or who have quit within the last 15 years should get screened for lung cancer. (A pack/year is calculated by multiplying the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day by number of years the person has smoked.)

    • Screening options

  • Low-Dose CT scan (LDCT) -- A specialized X-ray that detects lung cancer in its early stages.

    • Prostate cancer screening: A personal decision

    Who should get screened?

  • Men 45 and older should discuss the pros and cons of screening for prostate cancer with their doctor.
  • African American men or those with a family history of prostate cancer should consider starting at age 40.

    • Screening options

  • Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test – A blood test to assess prostate cancer risk.

    • Cancer screenings can catch disease early before symptoms appear, improving survival odds.

    Individuals at higher risk for cancer due to factors like family history, smoking or other factors should talk to their doctor about screening even sooner that the guidelines recommend.

    Sources

  • Rutgers Cancer Institute, news release, Feb. 10, 2025

    • Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

    Source: HealthDay

    Posted : 2025-02-16 00:00

    Read more

    Disclaimer

    Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

    The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

    Popular Keywords