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September/October 2007 Alternative Health
Cancer Screening Guidelines

The American Cancer Society offers the following guidelines for early detection of cancer. Visit www.cancer.org for detailed cancer screening guidelines and handy checklists, plus tips for prevention. People with an increased risk for cancer should talk with their doctor about additional screening options, including testing at a younger age.

Type Recommendation
Breast Yearly mammograms starting at age 40.
Clinical breast exam every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, every year for women 40 and older.
Breast self-exam starting in 20s.
Colon & rectum Starting at age 50, men and women should screen with one of the exam schedules below:
Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy (FSIG) every 5 years.
Annual FOBT or FIT and FSIG every 5 years.
Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years.
Colonoscopy every 10 years.
Prostate Annual PSA test and digital rectal exam starting at age 50.
Uterus Cervical screening starting 3 years after beginning vaginal intercourse, but no later than age 21, with annual Pap tests or every 2 years using liquid-based tests.
At age 30, women with 3 consecutive normal test results may get screened every 2 to 3 years.