Cancer Screenings for Women

Cancer is easiest to treat when caught early. Getting regular cancer screenings, based on your age, greatly improves your chances of successful treatment and recovery.

Screening can detect several types of cancer, including:

Breast – Mammograms detect 80% to 90% of breast cancers in women without symptoms.
Cervical – When caught early, the five-year relative survival rate is over 90%.
Colorectal – The third-most common cancer diagnosed in the U.S.
Endometrial – Most common type of cancer in the uterus, affecting mostly post-menopausal women.
Lung – The leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., responsible for 1 in 5 cancer deaths.
Skin – When caught early, the five-year survival rate for melanoma is 99%.

If you are at an increased risk for developing cancer, it’s important to consult your primary care provider. Your provider can talk with you early and often about the most effective screening options.

Your cancer care team at the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute and its network of cancer centers will help you understand your risk factors and commit to making healthy lifestyle choices that enhance your well-being.

Age 21-29

Starting at age 25, women should have a Pap test and human papillomavirus (HPV) test every five years, or a Pap test every three years if not combined with an HPV test, regardless of sexual history.
Talk with your primary care provider about your risk for breast cancer and colon cancer and when you should start getting regular screenings.
Do a breast self-exam once a month.
Perform a thorough self-exam of your skin monthly, checking areas including under your nails and hair, and report any concerns to your provider. Look for new spots, non-healing sores, rough red patches, wart-like growths or changes in existing moles.

Age 30-39

Women should have a Pap test and HPV test every five years, or a Pap test every three years if not combined with an HPV test, regardless of sexual history.
Talk with your primary care provider about your risk for breast cancer and when you should start getting regular mammograms.
Do a breast self-exam once a month.
Perform a thorough self-exam of your skin monthly, checking areas including under your nails and hair, and report any concerns to your provider. Look for new spots, non-healing sores, rough red patches, wart-like growths or changes in existing moles.

Age 40-49

Women should have a Pap test and HPV test every five years, or a Pap test every three years if not combined with an HPV test, regardless of sexual history.
Get a mammogram once a year to check for breast cancer.
Do a breast self-exam once a month.
Perform a thorough self-exam of your skin monthly, checking areas including under your nails and hair, and report any concerns to your provider. Look for new spots, non-healing sores, rough red patches, wart-like growths or changes in existing moles.
Get a colonoscopy every 10 years beginning at age 45. Other colorectal cancer screening options include:
- Stool-based test every year
- Stool-based DNA test every three years
- CT colonography test every five years

Age 50 and older

Women should have a Pap test and HPV test every five years, or a Pap test every three years if not combined with an HPV test, regardless of sexual history. Women with no abnormal results from past tests and at average risk can stop screening at age 65.
Get a mammogram once a year to check for breast cancer.
Do a breast self-exam once a month.
Perform a thorough self-exam of your skin monthly, checking areas including under your nails and hair, and report any concerns to your provider. Look for new spots, non-healing sores, rough red patches, wart-like growths or changes in existing moles.
Get a colonoscopy every 10 years. People aged 76-85 should talk with their health care provider to see if continuing screening is right for them. Other colorectal cancer screening options include:
- Stool-based test every year
- Stool-based DNA test every three years
- CT colonography test every five years
If you’re a current or former smoker in good health with at least a 20 pack-year smoking history, talk to your provider to see if you qualify for a low-dose lung cancer CT screening.

Cancer Risk Factors for Women

Knowing your cancer risk can help you and your provider create a plan to take control of your health. Certain factors can increase a woman’s cancer risk, including:

Age: Cancer risk increases as we age, making regular screenings important.
Alcohol: Cutting back on alcohol to no more than1 drink per day can help lower cancer risk.
Diet: A healthy diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, can help reduce risk.
Family History: If close relatives had cancer, you may be at higher risk.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) Infections: HPV can increase the risk of certain cancers; vaccination and safe practices can help reduce this risk.
Obesity: Maintaining a healthy weight lowers risk for certain cancers.
Smoking: Quitting or reducing smoking lowers cancer risk significantly.
Harmful Substances: Chemicals, like weed killer, can raise risk; take safety precautions.