Cancer screening is a way for your doctor to check for certain types of cancer in your body when you do not have any symptoms. The purpose of cancer screening is to find cancers that can be detected as early as possible before an individual has any symptoms. Different types of cancer can be screened using different tests. The age at which screening begins varies depending on the type of cancer to be screened for, as different cancers have different ages of prevalence. Why should I be screened for cancer? Cancers detected early are usually small and can sometimes be cured or easily treated. Early treatment of certain cancers can help prolong a patient’s life. Sometimes, screening may reveal cells that do not yet show malignancy but may turn into cancer cells. Doctors often treat such “precancerous lesions” before they have a chance to turn into cancer. Does everyone need to be screened for cancer the same way? -No, not everyone is screened for the same type of cancer. Also, not everyone starts cancer screening at the same age. For example, people with a family history of certain cancers may start screening earlier than people without a family history of cancer. People may also repeat screening tests at different times. You can ask your doctor or nurse the following questions: Which cancers should I be screened for? Do I have a choice about which screening tests I have? How old should I be when I start cancer screening? How often should I be screened? Does an abnormal screening test result mean I have cancer? Not necessarily. An abnormal screening test result means that you may have cancer, but it does not necessarily mean that you have cancer. If you have an abnormal screening test result, your doctor or nurse will probably need to do other tests to find out if you have a problem. Please do not worry about having cancer until you have had a follow up appointment with your doctor or nurse. What cancers can people be screened for? Some of the cancers for which screening tests are available are as follows: Breast Cancer – The main test used to screen for breast cancer is called a “mammogram”. Doctors do not always agree on when a woman should start having mammograms. However, most women begin the test in their 40s or 50s. If a woman has a strong family history of breast cancer, she may start screening even earlier. You should work with your doctor or nurse to determine when to start breast cancer screening and when you can stop. Colon Cancer – There are several screening tests for colon cancer. The choice of which test to have depends on you and your doctor. Doctors recommend that most people begin screening for colon cancer at age 50. Some people have an increased chance of developing colon cancer because of a strong family history or certain medical problems. These people may start colon cancer screening earlier. Cervical cancer – The main test used to screen for cervical cancer is called a Pap smear. Cervical cancer screening often starts when a woman is 21 years old. As women enter their 30s, their doctor may add another screening test. women over 65 may or may not need to continue cervical cancer screening. If you are over 65, ask your doctor if you should continue to be screened. Prostate Cancer – The main test used to screen for prostate cancer is called the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. It is not known if screening for prostate cancer will prolong a man’s life or improve his feelings. For this reason, most experts do not recommend routine prostate cancer screening. Instead, experts recommend that every man work with his doctor to determine if prostate cancer screening is right for him. In most cases, men should begin discussing prostate cancer screening around age 50. Most doctors do not recommend prostate cancer screening for men 70 years of age or older, nor do they recommend prostate cancer screening for men with serious health problems. Lung cancer – The main test used to screen for lung cancer is called a “low-dose CT scan,” which is an imaging test. If you are at high risk for lung cancer (e.g., smoking), ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of lung cancer screening. If you really want to reduce your chances of getting or dying from lung cancer, the best step is to quit smoking. Ovarian cancer-To screen for ovarian cancer, your doctor may perform a blood test, an ultrasound, or both. However, these tests do not always detect early ovarian cancer. Nonetheless, these tests are sometimes used in women with a family history of ovarian or breast cancer. Screening for these women may begin at age 30-35. Screening is not recommended for women without a family history of ovarian or breast cancer. Regular checkups, cancer screenings, and good lifestyle habits will keep you safe from cancer.