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Women: Screening Exams by Age
Focused on Health - January 2011
Take this checklist to your next doctor’s appointment. Your doctor can help you develop a more tailored
screening plan if needed.
These exams are for women at average risk of cancer. If you believe you may be more likely to develop cancer because of your personal or family medical history, visit our screening guidelines page to learn about exams for women at increased risk.
Ages 20 – 29
- Clinical breast exam every one to three years to check for breast cancer
- Liquid-based Pap test every two years to check for cervical cancer, starting at age 21
Ages 30 - 39
- Clinical breast exam every one to three years to check for breast cancer
- Liquid-based Pap test and HPV test every three years to check for cervical cancer
Ages 40-49
- Mammogram and clinical breast exam every year to check for breast cancer
- Liquid-based Pap test and HPV test every three years to check for cervical cancer
Ages 50-59
- Mammogram and clinical breast exam every year to check for breast cancer
- Liquid-based Pap test and HPV test every three years to check for cervical cancer
- Colonoscopy every 10 years to check for colorectal cancer
Ages 60 and older
- Mammogram and clinical breast exam every year to check for breast cancer
- Liquid-based Pap test and HPV tests every three years to check for cervical cancer
- Starting at age 65, if you’ve had three or more negative Pap tests, and no positive Pap test in the last 10 years, speak with your doctor about whether you should continue screening.
- Colonoscopy every 10 years to check for colorectal cancer
- MD Anderson does not recommend colorectal cancer screening for men and women age 85 and older. If you’re age 76 to 85, your doctor can help you decide if you should continue screening.
Regardless of your age, practice breast awareness. This means you should be familiar with your breasts so that they will notice any changes and report them to your doctor without delay.
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