Cancer Screening Recommendations

An important tool in cancer prevention and detection.

At Sharp, we're here to help you understand what cancer screenings are needed and at what age.

Combined with a healthy lifestyle and regular self-examination, cancer screenings are an important tool in the prevention and detection of cancer. Because cancer is most treatable in its beginning stages, early detection can increase the chances of survival.

These recommendations, with the exception of lung cancer screenings, are for healthy adults with no symptoms or other risk factors. Please talk to your doctor regarding your personal medical history and risk factors to determine which screenings are right for you.

These general guidelines are based on recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the American Cancer Society, the American Academy of Family Physicians and other leading experts.

Cancer screenings we offer.

Many of these screenings can be performed during a regular office visit and do not necessarily need to be done in conjunction with a history and physical exam.

Breast cancer

• Clinical breast exam
  Initial examination should be given during a physical and alongside a discussion of your personal and family health history at age 40, and then annually depending on your risk factors. At age 70, examination should be given based on your doctor's recommendation.
• Mammogram
  Initial examination should be given during a physical and alongside a discussion of your personal and family health history at age 40, and then annually depending on your risk factors. At age 70, mammogram should be given based on your doctor's recommendation.

Cervical cancer

• Pap smear
  Initial examination should be given during a physical and alongside a discussion of your personal and family health history at age 21 or at the onset of sexual activity, and then every 1 to 3 years. After age 65, Pap smear should be given based on your gynecologist's recommendation.
• Bimanual examination (ovaries and uterus)
  Initial examination should be given during a physical and alongside a discussion of your personal and family health history at age 18, and then every 1 to 3 years. At age 40, examination should be done yearly.

Colorectal cancer

• Colonoscopy
  Initial examination should be given at age 50 and then every 10 years.
• Hemoccult
  Initial examination should be given during a physical and alongside a discussion of your personal and family health history at age 50 and then yearly.

Lung cancer

Prostate cancer

• Prostate examination
  Initial examination should be given during a physical and alongside a discussion of your personal and family health history at age 50, and then yearly. Depending on your risk factors, your doctor may also recommend a prostate antigen test.

What you can do.

In addition to receiving the regular cancer screenings listed above, we recommend that you perform routine breast, oral cavity, skin and testicular self-examinations periodically as advised by your doctor. We also offer cancer genetic counseling if you feel you may have an inherited cancer risk.