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Self-examination
Self-examination of the breasts includes feeling and looking for any abnormalities, such as lumps, change in color, or discharge. This examination should be done often; remembering to do it at least once a month is important. It may completed as early as 16 years old, but it is important to begin doing it regularly beginning at 18 years old. Any abnormalities could possibly be signs of breast cancer and should be looked at by a health care provider immediately. -
Pap test
Starting at age 21, women should have a Pap test completed about every 3 years. A Pap test is done by a health care provider who inserts an instrument into the vagina to take a sample of cervical cells to be looked at under a microscope. Pap tests are able to detect abnormal cervical cells that may possibly be or lead to cervical cancer. -
Clinical Breast Exam
Clinical breast exams (CBE) should begin at age 21 and should be done every 1 to 3 years. CBE is a physical exam done by a health care provider, in which they examine your breasts by feeling your breasts, underarm, and clavicle for any changes or abnormalities. This exam's purpose is to help detect breast cancer. -
Mammogram
Beginning at age 40, mammogram screening should be completed annually. Mammogram screenings usually consist of two or more x-ray images of each breast. These images assist in detecting any tumors or abnormalities of the breast that could be breast cancer or may lead to breast cancer in the future. -
Colonoscopy
Beginning at age 50, a colonoscopy should be completed about every 10 years.. A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows an examiner to evaluate the inside of the colon. A colonoscope, a flexible tube with a camera and source of light at the tip, is used during a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is done to detect colon and rectum cancer as well as to search for polyps, or a small clump of cells that may develop into colon cancer. -
Low-dose CT scan
At age 55, a low-dose CT scan may be done to detect lung cancer. A low-dose CT scan is completed using a x-ray machine to scan the body and use low doses of radiation to create detailed images of the lungs. This test should only be done if you have a history of heavy smoking, smoke now, or have quit smoking within the past 15 years.