Generally, cancer is easier to care for when found early. Delays in screening may mean finding cancers when they are harder to care for, meaning they are larger or have progressed to other parts of the body.

Panel 1: Cancer screening
Screening takes place when a doctor or other medical professionals check for cancer.

You don't need to have symptoms of cancer.

There are many screening tests available to find certain types of cancer early and to reduce the chance of dying from that cancer.

Panel 2: What cancer screenings are available?

• Breast
  About 1 in 8 women, along with 1 in 833 men risk developing breast cancer in their lifetime.
  
  Breast Cancer Screening: Exams and tests to look for signs of disease in the breast
  • Physical exam of the breast to feel for lumps and other symptoms o Mammogram or MRI and Mammogram
  • Screening guidance based on age and risk factors, such as personal or family history and genetics
  99%
  The 5-year survival rate for people diagnosed with breast cancer that's detected at the local stage (has not left the breast)
  
  
• Colorectal (colon and rectum)
  1 in 23 men and 1 in 25 women in the U.S. will develop colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer screening: A medical test for signs of cancer in the colon and rectum
  
  • Stool-based test
  • Screening guidance based on age and family history
  91%
  The five-year survival rate for finding colorectal cancer at the local stage
  
  
• Cervical
  99% of cervical cancer cases are linked to infection with the sexually-transmitted disease called high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV).
  
  Cervical Cancer Screening: A test for cancer of the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus
  • Test for HPV, a sexually-transmitted disease (STD) and/or Pap testing for cancer in the cervix
  • Screening guidance based on age
  92%
  The five-year survival rate for detecting cervical cancer at the local stage
  
  
• Lung
  25% of all deaths from cancer are lung cancer

  Lung cancer screening: A test for cancer in your lungs

  • Low-dose CT (LDCT) once per year
  • Screening guidance based on age and risk factors, like history of smoking
  63%
  The five-year survival rate for finding lung cancer in the local stage (in the lung)
  
  
• Skin
  1 in 27 men and 1 in 40 women who are white, non-Hispanic will have the deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma, in their lifetime.

  Skin cancer screening: A checkup to look over your skin for any spots with an unusual size, shape, color or texture
  

  • Checking your skin during a physical exam and doing self-exams of your skin
  • There is not standard screening guidance, but you should know your own skin
  Appx. 99%
  The five-year survival rate for people with melanoma when found early
  
  
• Prostate
  About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
  
  Prostate screening: Tests to detect cancer in the gland below the bladder in a man's body that helps make semen
  
  • A blood test and digital rectal exam
  • Screening guidance based on age and risk which should be discussed with your doctor
  Nearly 100%
  The five-year survival rate for men when prostate cancer is detected at the local stage

Get more details on screening guidelines and options.

Panel 3: Where can I get a cancer screening?
Get support finding a doctor near you

• Optum medical providers and clinics (Optum Care)
• American Cancer Society
• Local health department or 800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)
• Cancer Screen Week

The American Cancer Society recommends talking to a doctor or health care provider about the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening before making the decision to get screened.

Panel 4: Know what questions to ask my doctor

The information provided is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for professional health care. You should consult an appropriate health care professional for your specific needs.

• What cancer screening tests are recommended for someone my age?
• How often should I get the screening tests?
• Do I need to see any specialists to get my screening tests done, or can you order all of them for me?
• Will insurance cover it? If not what will it cost?