Cancer screenings are a crucial part of preventive health care. Screening tests can help find cancer before it shows symptoms. Some screenings can detect and treat pre-cancerous conditions and early-stage cancers, before they spread.
Understanding cancer screening guidelines can be complicated, but there are resources to help you stay in the know.
Learn more about recommendations for certain cancers below. And, if you’re eligible, consider scheduling a screening at Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women. Early detection through screening can significantly increase survival rates.
A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray of the breast used to screen for breast cancer.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) notes that women may wish to start screening with mammograms between ages 40-44.
In general, it’s recommended that women ages 45-54 get annual screenings, and women older than 55 may decide to have screenings every 2 years.
The ACS also cautions that women should talk with their health care providers about the benefits and risks of screening.
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in both men and women. Colorectal cancer occurs when cancer forms in the cells of the colon or rectum.
Both the ACS and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend screening for colorectal cancer starting at age 45, and continued screening through age 75.
In recent years, more people have been diagnosed with young-onset colorectal cancer. Because of this increase in younger adults with the condition, some people with an increased risk may want to consider screening earlier.
Learn more about colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer>>
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow in the prostate, the small gland in the male reproductive system that produces seminal fluid.
The two main types of screening for prostate cancer are a PSA test and a digital rectal exam.
Prostate cancer screening can help find cancer early, but the decision to get screened should be made based on individual risk factors.
Learn more about how to decide on prostate cancer screening from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer develops when abnormal cells in the lungs grow uncontrollably.
Lung cancer is often diagnosed in later stages due to a lack of noticeable symptoms in its early stages. This makes appropriate screening vital for high-risk individuals.
Criteria for lung cancer screening include age and smoking history.
People between the ages of 50 and 80 years old are at increased likelihood of developing lung cancer, especially if they have a smoking history.
A person’s smoking history is measured in “pack years,” which is a measure of how many packs of cigarettes they smoked per day, multiplied by the number of years they smoked.
Learn more about who should get screened for lung cancer>>
Skin cancer
Skin cancer, including melanoma, is the most common type of cancer in the U.S., but early detection improves treatment success rates.
While there are no universal guidelines for skin cancer screening, you can perform self-exams by checking your skin for new, suspicious moles or other spots.
For people at increased risk of skin cancer, regular screenings with a health care provider can help with early detection and treatment of skin cancers. Learn more about skin cancer screening from the National Cancer Institute.
Important considerations
Cancer screening guidelines are developed to help people know when they should get screened based on different risk factors.
Some cancer screening tests can have risks for certain people.
Some people may be eligible for screenings earlier than the general guidelines, depending on genetic factors and other considerations.
Be sure to talk with your health care provider about whether you should be screened for certain cancers.
Siteman Cancer Center offers a free tool to help you assess your risk of different cancer types: Your Disease Risk>>
While screening guidelines do not typically change frequently, they may be updated occasionally based on further data. The information provided here is intended for general education and is based on recommendations as of January 2026.