Cancer Screening Quiz

No matter what your risk for getting cancer might be, it’s important to get cancer screening tests. Screening tests are used to find cancer in people who have no symptoms. Regular screening gives you the best chance of finding cancer early when it’s small and before it has spread. If you don’t know your risk for getting cancer, talking with a doctor or nurse can help you understand risk factors and family history. Read more about screening recommendations.

There is no single blood test that checks a person for every type of cancer. There are several types of multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests still being studied that can test for different cancers. None of these MCED tests are approved or cleared by the FDA yet. Doctors use specific tests to check for cancer, depending on the type of cancer being tested for. Tests include blood tests, x-rays and scans, and biopsies. Biomarker tests can also be done to help find out details about some types of cancers and treatments, but they do not test for every cancer. 

Cancer screening is used to find cancer in people before they have any symptoms. Regular screening tests can help find cancer early when they are small and likely easier to treat. Read more about screening recommendations.

ACS recommends starting regular screening with either a high-sensitivity stool-based test (like a FIT test) or a visual exam (like a colonoscopy at age 45. The type of test done depends on a person’s risk, preferences, and health problems they may have. To learn more, go to the ACS Guideline for Colorectal Cancer Screening. 

You should still be screened for cancer even of if nobody in your family had cancer or if you don’t know your family’s history of cancer. Talk to your doctor about which tests you might need and the screening schedule that’s right for you. Learn more in Find Cancer Early.

Starting at age 25-65, all people with a cervix should have a primary HPV test every 5 years. An HPV test can be done alone or with a Pap test (called a co-test). If an HPV test or co-test is not available, a Pap test can be done every 3 years. It’s important to get tested no matter which test you choose. Learn more in ACS Guidelines for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical Cancer.

It is important to know your risk for cancer along with what tests you need and when to get them. Read more about screening recommendations.

Not all cancers can be prevented by getting regular screening tests, but some can. In addition to finding cancer early, regular screening for colorectal cancer and cervical cancer can also find polyps and pre-cancers that can be removed before they turn into cancer. Regular screening for prostate, breast and lung cancer can help find cancers early, but can’t prevent or stop these cancers from starting. Read more about screening recommendations.

ACS recommends women start regular breast cancer screening with mammograms at age 45. However, ACS also recommends women ages 40-44 have the option to start annual breast cancer screening if they wish to do so. To learn more, see ACS Recommendations for the Early Detection of Breast Cancer.

Cost can be a major barrier to getting screened. Sometimes, hospitals or clinics might host free cancer screening events. There are also free or low-cost programs available for people who are uninsured or underinsured. You can find out more about these programs at cancer.org/getscreened or by calling ACS at 800-227-2345.

In most cases, there is no out-of-pocket cost for screening tests. It’s important to check with your insurance company to know exactly what your cost might be for screening tests, follow-up tests, and the cost for any doctor visits that might be needed. Read more in Costs and Insurance Coverage for Cancer Screening.

ACS recommends HPV (human papillomavirus) testing as part of cervical cancer screening. An HPV test can detect high-risk types of HPV that are more likely to cause pre-cancers and cancers of the cervix. Learn more in ACS Guidelines for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical Cancer.

ACS recommends lung cancer screening test with low-dose CT (LDCT) scan for people ages 50-80 who have ever smoked and who have at least a 20 pack-year history. (A pack-year is equal to smoking 1 pack or about 20 cigarettes per day for a year.) Read more in Can Lung Cancer Be Found Early?

ACS recommends that men make an informed decision with a health care provider about whether to be tested for prostate cancer. Men can talk to a health care provider about the pros and cons of testing and how often to get tested. This discussion should start at age 50 for men at average risk. Certain men, including African American men and men with first-degree relatives who have had prostate cancer should have the discussion earlier. Learn more in ACS Recommendations for Prostate Cancer Early Detection.

Cancer screening recommendations are not the same for everyone. Cancer screening recommendations are based on age, sex, family history, and other risk factors. Everyone should talk to a healthcare provider to decide which screening test and schedule is best for them. Learn more at cancer.org/getscreened.