Mammography Screening Recommendations

Women ages 40 and up should then have a mammogram annually.

Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast examination (CBE) as part of a regular health exam by a health professional, preferably every 3 years.

Women at increased risk for breast cancer should talk with their doctor about the benefits and limitations of starting mammograms when they are younger.

Women should discuss with their physician which approaches are best for them. Source: American Cancer Society

Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening Recommendations

Beginning at age 50, all women should follow one of these testing schedules:

Yearly fecal occult blood test plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years
Colonoscopy every 10 years (most recommended option)

Cervical Cancer* Screening Recommendations

Begin annual Pap tests about 3 years after becoming sexually active, but no later than age 21.

At age 30, women who have had 3 normal Pap tests in a row may get screened every 2 to 3 years. Women with certain risk factors (ask your doctor) should continue annual screenings.

Healthy women 70+ who have had 3 or more normal Pap tests in a row and no abnormal Pap test results in the last 10 years may choose to stop having cervical cancer screening.

Women who have had a total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix) don’t need further Pap tests unless the surgery was done as a treatment for cervical cancer or pre-cancer. Women who still have a cervix should continue to follow the guidelines above.

*Consult your physician for detailed guidelines if you have a family history of, or other risk factors for, cervical cancer.