ScreenMe

Learn about cancer screening

General information based on the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations for people at average risk. To see which screenings apply to you, take the survey.

Breast cancer screening

When breast cancer is found early, the chances of cure are highest, and screening mammograms reduce deaths from breast cancer.

Age 40 to 74Mammogram every 2 years
75 and overNot enough evidence either way; decide with your physician

This follows the USPSTF 2024 recommendation (grade B). It applies to women and everyone assigned female at birth who is at average risk, including people with a parent or sibling who had breast cancer and people with dense breasts. Standard 2D mammography and 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) both work.

Dense breasts

If a mammogram shows dense breasts but is otherwise normal, the Task Force found too little evidence to recommend routine extra ultrasound or MRI. Talk it through with your physician.

Knowing your breasts

The Task Force does not recommend breast self-exam as a screening test, because structured self-exams have not been shown to reduce deaths. Knowing what is normal for you still helps you notice changes early: new lumps, skin or nipple changes, a new asymmetry, discharge or persistent pain. Most lumps are not cancer, but any change should be checked by your physician.

If you find a change or a lump

Contact your physician. Screening is for people without symptoms, so a change needs a diagnostic assessment rather than a routine screening appointment. What happens next depends on your age and on whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding: usually an ultrasound under 30 or when pregnant or breastfeeding, and an ultrasound, a mammogram or both otherwise.

If a mammogram shows an anomaly

You will be called back for further tests such as an ultrasound, MRI or biopsy. If these show cancer, follow your physician's advice. If they don't, go back to your regular screening schedule.

Higher risk

These recommendations are for average risk. If you carry a BRCA mutation or another inherited risk, had chest radiotherapy at a young age, or have had breast cancer, you may need a different schedule.

Transgender and non-binary people

The Task Force recommendation covers everyone assigned female at birth, including transgender men and non-binary people who have not had a complete bilateral mastectomy. After a complete mastectomy with chest reconstruction a mammogram is not the right test; see your physician about any new lump, pain or skin change. A breast reduction is not a mastectomy. For transgender women, the Task Force has not made a recommendation; many clinicians suggest discussing screening after several years of feminising hormones.

Cervical cancer screening

Screening finds cervical cancer and precancerous changes early, when treatment works best. Most cervical cancers occur in people who have not been adequately screened.

Under 21No screening
Age 21 to 29PAP smear every 3 years
Age 30 to 65Human papillomavirus (HPV) test every 5 years (preferred), co-test every 5 years, or PAP smear every 3 years
Over 65Stop if previous screening was adequate and normal

This follows the USPSTF 2018 recommendation (grade A). A 2024 draft update, not yet final, makes the HPV test every 5 years the preferred option from 30 and includes samples you collect yourself.

Stopping after 65

You can stop after 65 if you have had adequate screening, meaning three normal PAP smears in a row, or two normal HPV tests or co-tests in a row, within the last 10 years, with the most recent within the last 5, and you are not otherwise at high risk.

After a hysterectomy

If your cervix was removed for a reason other than cancer or a high-grade precancerous lesion, you don't need screening. If it was removed because of cancer or precancer, the general recommendation doesn't apply; follow your physician's advice.

The tests

PAP smear. A small brush collects cells from the cervix, which are examined in the lab for cancerous or pre-cancerous changes. Most people don't find it painful, though you may feel brief discomfort.

HPV test. Tests the sample for high-risk types of human papillomavirus, the cause of almost all cervical cancers. HPV 16 and 18 cause most of them.

Co-test. A PAP smear and an HPV test on the same sample.

Collecting the sample yourself

Self-collected HPV tests are as accurate as clinician-collected ones. Self-collection is offered in some clinics, and one prescription at-home kit has been FDA-approved since May 2025 for people aged 25 to 65 at average risk. Over-the-counter HPV kits are not approved for cervical screening.

Before your appointment

  • Book your test at least 5 days after your period ends.
  • Avoid vaginal sex, creams, lubricants and douches for 2 days before.

If you test positive

Most people have HPV at some point, and it usually clears on its own. In a small number it persists and can cause cell changes that may lead to cancer. After a positive result you may need a PAP smear or a colposcopy, a closer look at the cervix. Keep all your follow-up appointments.

HPV vaccine

The HPV vaccine is recommended for everyone at age 11 or 12, and can be given from age 9. If you missed it, you can still be vaccinated up to age 26. Between 27 and 45, vaccination isn't routinely recommended, but you can discuss it with your physician. The vaccine protects against most of the HPV types that cause cervical cancer, but not all of them, so vaccinated people still need regular screening.

Colorectal cancer screening

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the US. When it is found early, before it has spread, about 9 in 10 people are alive 5 years later. Screening can also prevent cancer, by finding and removing polyps before they turn into cancer.

Age 45 to 75Regular screening
Age 76 to 85Selectively, based on your health and past screening
Over 85Not covered by the recommendation; rarely beneficial

This follows the USPSTF 2021 recommendation (grade B from 45 to 49, grade A from 50 to 75).

Test options

Stool test for hidden blood (FIT, or high-sensitivity gFOBT)Every year
Stool DNA test with FITEvery 1 to 3 years
CT colonographyEvery 5 years
Flexible sigmoidoscopyEvery 5 years, or every 10 with a yearly FIT
ColonoscopyEvery 10 years

Several screening tests are available and recommended: stool tests, CT colonography, flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. Colonoscopy examines the whole colon, polyps can be removed during the procedure, and after a normal result you won't need another test for 10 years. If a test other than colonoscopy finds something abnormal, you will need a colonoscopy to complete the screening. Currently, there is not enough evidence to recommend blood tests, urine tests or capsule endoscopy as screening tests.

If you are at higher risk

The Task Force recommendation is for people at average risk. If a parent or sibling had colorectal cancer or an advanced polyp, if you have had polyps removed, or if you have inflammatory bowel disease, Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis or previous abdominal or pelvic radiotherapy, you may need to start earlier or be screened more often. Specialty guidelines cover these situations; your physician will set your schedule.

For example, with inflammatory bowel disease affecting the colon, specialty guidelines recommend surveillance colonoscopy starting about 8 years after symptoms began, then every 1 to 3 years. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) doesn't raise the risk.

Screening is for people without symptoms. If you have seen blood in your stool, or have a change in bowel habits, abdominal pain or unexplained weight loss, see your physician whatever your age.

Lung cancer screening

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. It can cause no symptoms for a long time, so it is often found late. A low-dose CT scan of the chest (LDCT) is an effective screening test for people at high risk.

Who should be screened

Adults aged 50 to 80 with a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years who smoke now or quit within the past 15 years should have a low-dose CT every year (USPSTF 2021, grade B).

Screening stops once you have not smoked for 15 years, or if a health problem would limit your life expectancy or your ability to have lung surgery.

If you have symptoms such as a persistent cough, chest pain, blood in your sputum or unintended weight loss, see your physician whatever your smoking history.

Working out pack-years

Multiply the packs smoked per day by the number of years smoked. A pack is 20 cigarettes. Two packs a day for 10 years is 20 pack-years; so is one pack a day for 20 years.

Stopping smoking

Quitting is the most effective way to lower your risk of lung cancer. Your physician can help.

Prostate cancer screening

Age 55 to 69A personal decision after talking with your physician
70 and overNot recommended

This follows the USPSTF 2018 recommendation (grade C from 55 to 69, grade D from 70). An update is in progress.

How screening works

Screening uses the PSA test, a blood test for prostate-specific antigen. PSA can rise for reasons other than cancer, such as infection, an enlarged prostate, ageing, cycling or recent ejaculation.

Benefits and harms

For some men, PSA screening slightly lowers the chance of dying from prostate cancer. It can also lead to false-positive results, biopsies and their complications, and overdiagnosis: finding slow-growing cancers that would never have caused harm, followed by treatment that can affect continence and sexual function. Because the balance depends on your values, the decision is yours to make with your physician.

Higher risk

Black men and men with a father or brother who had prostate cancer are at higher risk and may benefit more from screening. The Task Force doesn't set a different starting age, but it's reasonable to discuss screening with your physician before 55.

Transgender women

The Task Force has not made a recommendation for transgender women. People who have a prostate and are not taking feminising hormones have a similar risk to cisgender men. Hormone therapy lowers PSA levels, so if you are taking hormones, talk to your physician about whether and how to screen.

If you have symptoms such as pain, difficulty passing urine or a weaker stream, see your physician.

Where our recommendations come from

ScreenMe's recommendations follow the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an independent panel of experts that reviews the evidence on preventive services. Its recommendations are for people without symptoms who are at average risk.

What the grades mean

A or BRecommended: the benefit outweighs the harm
COffer selectively: a personal decision, as the net benefit is small
DNot recommended: no benefit, or harms outweigh benefits
I statementNot enough evidence to judge

Recommendations used

Where the Task Force doesn't cover a situation, such as a strong family history, talk to your physician.

Check which screenings apply to you

ScreenMe provides general information based on USPSTF recommendations for people at average risk (about our guidance; source: USPSTF recommendation topics). It does not replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have symptoms, or questions about your own situation, talk to your physician.