Cancer Screenings Save Lives!
Follow these Guidelines

Approximately 90 percent of cancers can be cured if  detected early. That’s why the American Cancer Society recommends the following cancer screening guidelines. If you have symptoms or are at high risk, you may need, earlier, more frequent screenings.  

Both Men and Women

Everyone between the ages of 20-39 should have a cancer related check-up every three years and annually after 40 to detect  cancers of the:

• thyroid
• testicles or ovaries 
• lymph nodes 
• oral cavity 
• skin

Both men and women should begin having regular colorectal cancer screenings at age 50.  African-Americans, people with a personal or family history of the disease and those with inflammatory bowel disease should begin screenings earlier and may need more frequent screenings.

Just for Women

Women should begin performing monthly breast self-exams beginning at age 20, and:

• Women between the ages of 20-39 should have clinical breast exams every three years.
• At age 40, women should begin having annual clinical breast exams and annual mammograms.

All women who are sexually active or 18 or older should also have an annual Pap test and pelvic examination. After three or more consecutive normal exams, the Pap test may be performed less frequently at the discretion of the physician.

For Men Only

All adolescent boys and adult males should perform monthly testicular self-exams.   

Beginning at age 50, all men should also begin having screenings for prostrate cancer, including:

• annual digital rectal exams
• annual prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood tests  

African-American men and those with risk factors for the disease should begin having prostrate cancer screenings at 40 years of age. 

For more information on cancer or to find a physician, call 706-721-CARE (2273) or visit www.MCGHealth.org/Cancer.