Important Cancer Screenings for Women: Essential Guide for Every Age
When it comes to cancer, knowledge is power. While keeping up with medical appointments and recommended screenings can feel overwhelming or stressful, staying on schedule gives your doctor the best chance to detect cancer when it is most treatable. The following is a roadmap that can help guide you through which screenings are most important at every stage of your life.
In Your 20s: Starting the Conversation
Based on your family history, your provider will begin screening for cervical cancer in your early 20s, if not before. A Papanicolau smear or “Pap smear” will likely be performed every three years, regardless of sexual activity. This simple test can help detect abnormal cells before they become cancerous.
In addition to cervical cancer, breast awareness and self-breast exams are an important part of taking charge of your health. Report any unusual changes you notice to your doctor, including:
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New lumps or areas of thickening
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Persistent pain in one area
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Any other changes that feel unusual to you
In Your 30s: Building Your Care Team
Cervical cancer screenings will likely be continued every three years, with every fifth year including an additional test for the presence of Human Papillomavirus or “HPV”. This is a more comprehensive approach, as HPV is the virus responsible for most cervical cancers.
Women in their 30s should stay aware of their breast health. While routine mammograms are not standard yet, women with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer should talk to their provider about genetic testing and earlier screening.
By forming a complete picture of your health through routine screenings, your provider will use those results to establish a baseline of what is normal for you. Creating this relationship now will only help inform your care as you age.
In Your 40s: Working Together for Early Detection
Mammograms will be an important annual screening ordered by your physician. Experts recommend that you begin your mammograms at age 40, annually or every two years depending on your risk factors. Your risk for breast cancer increases as you age, so it is important to make and keep mammography screening appointments as recommended. Continue cervical cancer screening on your established schedule.
Age 50 and Beyond: Your Ongoing Partnership in Wellness
According to your family history and personal risk factors, screening for colorectal cancer should begin around 45 to 50 years of age. For the average individual, a colonoscopy every 10 years is most likely to be recommended, but there are other options like annual stool-based tests or flexible sigmoidoscopy. Your doctor will recommend the best screening for your personal needs, but as colon cancer is on the rise, this screening is vital to detect this very treatable cancer early.
Mammograms remain important throughout your 50s, 60s and 70s. Continue with annual or biennial screening based on your provider’s recommendation.
Additionally, your provider may recommend the discontinuation of cervical cancer screenings around age 65 if you've had consistently negative results and no history of precancerous cells in the past 20 years.
Personalize Your Plan
These guidelines apply to average-risk women. You may need different or more specialized screenings if you have a family history of cancer, carry genetic mutations, have had previous abnormal test results or have certain medical conditions or lifestyle factors.
It is always important to talk to your healthcare professional and set up your screening schedule according to your individual needs.
The Bottom Line
Screenings catch cancer early when treatment is most effective. Don't let worry or a busy schedule keep you from these potentially life-saving appointments. Mark them on your calendar and encourage the women you care about to do the same.
Your health deserves a trusted partner. Find a women’s health expert who can create a personalized screening plan based on your age, family history, and individual needs.