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CBE
Starting at age 20, a clincal breast exam (or CBE) should be done by a doctor every 3 years, and by the age of 40, the exams should be annual. A CBE is typically done during a regular check-up, and the doctor will visually check the breasts while the patient is sitting up and then physically examine the breasts while the patient is lying down. -
Skin Examination and Biopsy
An annual screening for skin cancer should be done starting at age 20. This involves a dermatologist examining the skin for changes that might be caused by skin cancer, and if anything suspicious is found, a biopsy (removing a small portion of skin for examination) can be done to more closely examine a piece of skin for cancer. -
Pap Test
Starting at the age of 21, females should be tested for cervical cancer by getting a pap test once every three years until the age of 29. In a Pap test, a sample of cells and mucus is taken from the exocervix and endocervix to be examined under a microscope for cancerous and precancerous cells. If the results are abnormal, HPV tests can be done. -
Breast Self-Examination
It is important to know how your breasts normally look and feel and report any changes or abnormalities to a doctor in order to detect breast cancer. To perform a self examination, you should place a pillow beneath your shoulder and put your arm behind your head. Then, using gentle, medium, and firm pressure, you should move your free hand in small circular motions around the breast and armpit area. Squeeze the nipple to check for lumps and discharge and repeat on the other side. -
Pap Test and HPV Test
Starting at the age of 30, pap tests and HPV tests are recommended to be done once every 5 years. Testing is no longer needed by the age of 65 if results have been normal for previous 10 years. Like the Pap test, an HPV test is done with a sample of cells collected from the cervix and the DNA of the human papillomalvirus is looked for.
Note: Testing is not needed if a hysterectomy was done for reasons not related to cervical cancer. -
Mammograms
Starting at age 40, women have the choice to begin breast cancer screenings through mammograms once a year, but by age 45, it is recommended that women get mammograms annually. At age 55, women can choose to only get mammograms every 2 years. A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray that allows doctors to look for changes in breast tissues. A typical screening mammogram for women who don't have any symptoms of breast cancer includes x-ray pictures being taken from two different angles on each breast. -
Colon Cancer Screening
Starting at age 50, all women should start being tested for colon cancer. This could involve a flexible sigmoidoscopy (a thin, flexible tube with a camera inserted into the rectum to observe the lower colon) every 5 years, a colonoscopy (which is like the sigmoidoscopy but examines the entire colon) every 10 years,