Cancer Warning Signs and 
Guidelines for Screening

When do i need to have a cancer screening?

Age 18 – 39

• Cancer related check-up every three years

Women:

• Breast: Exam by a health care professional every three years

• Self-exam every month

• Screening mammogram at age 40, then yearly

• Uterus: Pelvic exam every year, with a PAP test. Endometrial tissue sample at menopause, if at high risk

• PAP Test:  All women who are sexually active or who have reached age 18 should have an annual PAP test and pelvic exam

Age 40 & Over

• Cancer related checkup yearly

Women:

• Breast: Exam every year by a health care professional

• Self-exam every month

• Screening mammogram at age 40, then yearly

• Uterus: Pelvic exam every year, with a PAP test. Endometrial tissue sample at menopause, if at high risk

Women and Men:

• Colon and Rectum: Digital rectal exam every year. Stool slide test at age 50 and every year thereafter

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy at age 50 and every five years thereafter

• Colonoscopy

Women and Men:

• Prostate: PSA and digital rectal exam beginning at age 50 – at age 45 for African Americans and those with a family history of prostate cancer

Cancer Warning Signs

• A sore that does not heal

• A lump in the breast or any part of the body

• Any unusual or unexplained bleeding or discharge from any part of the body

• Any wart or mole that changes in size or color

• Chronic indigestion (sour stomach, gas or discomfort in the abdomen) or difficulty in swallowing

• A persistent cough, particularly in patients with a history of smoking

• Any change in bowel habits (especially with black or bloody stools)

• Unexplained general weakness and/or significant loss of weight

• Any change in color of skin or increasing paleness

• Any headache that persists