What Cancer Screenings Do I Need? A Guide by Age

Nearly 70% of US adults are behind on at least one routine cancer screening. The most common reason? 43% say they simply didn't know they needed to be screened.

This guide gives you a clear picture of what's recommended at every age.

In Your 20s and 30s

Cervical cancer is the only routine screening at this age. The American Cancer Society recommends an HPV test every 5 years starting at 25.

The most important thing you can do right now is learn your family history. If a close relative had cancer before 50, you may need earlier screening for colorectal, breast, or ovarian cancer. This single piece of knowledge can shift your timeline by 5-10 years.

In Your 40s

This is when screening expands significantly.

Breast cancer screening starts at 40. The USPSTF updated its guidelines in 2024 to recommend mammograms every two years for all women beginning at this age.

Colorectal cancer screening starts at 45, changed from 50 in 2021. Most people don't know. Only 37.1% of adults aged 45-49 have been screened, compared to 73.4% of those over 50. You don't need a colonoscopy to start. A simple at-home stool test (FIT) counts.

Why it matters: colorectal cancer caught early has a 91% survival rate. Caught late, that drops to 15%.

In Your 50s and 60s

This is the decade with the most screenings.

Breast and colorectal continue as above.

Lung cancer screening starts now if you have a smoking history (20+ pack-years and currently smoke or quit within 15 years). Only 18.7% of eligible adults are getting this screening for the deadliest common cancer. The survival gap is the most dramatic: 64.7% when caught early versus 9% when caught late.

Prostate cancer screening (PSA test) is a conversation to have with your doctor starting around 50, or earlier if you're at higher risk. About 38% of men 55-69 have been tested.

At 70 and Beyond

Screening becomes more personalized. Most have recommended end points (breast at 74, colorectal at 75, lung at 80, cervical at 65), but these aren't hard cutoffs. Your overall health matters more than your age alone. Talk to your doctor.

When to Start Earlier

The ages above are for average-risk adults. You may need to start sooner if a parent, sibling, or child had cancer before 50, if you carry a genetic mutation like BRCA1/2 or Lynch syndrome, or if you have other risk factors like inflammatory bowel disease or prior chest radiation.

Your personal risk profile matters more than any general chart. That's why a personalized recommendation is more useful than a one-size-fits-all guide.

fixyou.app gives you a personalized screening plan based on your age, risk factors, and family history in under 2 minutes. Free, in English and Chinese.