40-49

American Cancer SocietyThe following information was developed by the American Cancer Society, and is presented on Cancer.Net as part of a collaboration between the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the American Cancer Society. Both organizations have long shared a commitment to empowering people with information about cancer they can trust. Learn more about this collaboration and how it will help advance that goal. Used with permission. © 2022.


If you are 40 to 49, these screening tests for certain cancers are recommended:

Colon Cancer Testing

All people at average risk should start testing at age 45. There are several testing options. Talk with a health care provider about which tests are best for you and how often testing should be done.

If you're younger than 45, find out if you are at higher than average risk for colon cancer because of family history, genetic disorders, or other factors. If not, then testing is not needed at this time. If you are at increased risk, talk to a health care provider about when you need to start testing and what tests are right for you.

Breast Cancer Testing

Women ages 40 to 44 should have the choice to start annual breast cancer screening with mammograms if they wish to do so. The pros and cons of screening should be considered when making this decision.

Starting at age 45, women should get mammograms every year.

It’s important to know if you are at higher than average risk for breast cancer. If you are, talk to a health care provider about when you need to start getting mammograms and whether you need to get other tests along with your mammograms.

It's also important to know how your breasts normally look and feel and to report any changes to a health care provider right away.

Cervical Cancer Testing

People with a cervix should get a primary HPV test* every 5 years. If a primary HPV test is not available in your area, then acceptable options include a co-test (an HPV test done at the same time as a Pap test) every 5 years or a Pap test alone every 3 years. (*A primary HPV test is an FDA approved test that is done by itself for screening.) The most important thing to remember is to get screened regularly, no matter which test you get.

Follow testing recommendations even if you’ve been vaccinated against HPV.

You don't need testing after surgery that removed the cervix as long as it was done for reasons not related to cervical cancer or pre-cancer

People with a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue testing for 25 years after that diagnosis.

Prostate Cancer Testing

Starting at age 45, men at higher than average risk of prostate cancer should talk with a doctor about the uncertainties, risks, and potential benefits of testing so they can decide if they want to be tested. This includes African American men and men with close family members (father, brother, son) who had prostate cancer before age 65.

Men with more than one close relative who had prostate cancer before age 65 are at even higher risk and should talk with a doctor about testing starting at age 40.

This information was originally published at https://www.cancer.org/healthy/find-cancer-early/screening-recommendations-by-age.html#40-49.

© 2022 American Cancer Society. All rights reserved worldwide.