The likelihood of developing most types of cancer increases with age. All cancers have different recommendations for when to begin screening and how often it should be repeated.
Some types of cancer screenings to consider having done at this time include:
- colonoscopy or fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
- breast cancer screening, for all people
- cervical cancer screening
- prostate cancer screening
- skin cancer screening
You should also ask about certain types of cancer screenings that may be recommended based on your personal risk factors.
An anal pap smearTrusted Source, for example, is recommended for people who may be more likely to develop anal cancer, including:
- men who have sex with men
- those who have had cervical, vaginal, or vulvar cancer
- people living with HIV
- those who are immunocompromised
Additionally, people with a history of smoking should be screened annually for lung cancer starting at age 50.
If you smoke, now is also a great time to talk with your doctor about how to lower your risk for lung cancer. Even among people with a history of heavy smoking, quitting can reduce the likelihood of developing lung cancer by 39%Trusted Source over 5 years, according to some research.
Cancer screenings should begin sooner than age 50 in many cases, but this represents a great time to catch up or get back on track if needed. Regular screening supports early detection, which makes cancer more treatable.
For instance, when breast cancer is caught in the early stages before it has spread, 99%Trusted Source of people survive at least 5 years after diagnosis. That figure drops to 29% if the cancer isn’t caught until it has already spread to other parts of the body.
“Earlier detection can save lives,” emphasizes Biggers.
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