If you are 50 to 64, these screening tests for certain cancers are recommended:

Colon Cancer Testing

All people at average risk should start testing at age 45, so talk to your health care provider if you haven't started yet. 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.

Lung Cancer Testing

If you are age 50 or older, talk to a health care provider about your smoking history and whether you should get yearly low-dose CT scans to screen for early lung cancer. Screening may benefit you if you smoke now or if you quit within the past 15 years, have no signs of lung cancer, and have a 20 pack-year smoking history. (A pack-year is 1 pack of cigarettes per day per year. One pack per day for 20 years or 2 packs per day for 10 years would both be 20 pack-years.) You should discuss the benefits, limitations, risks, and potential costs of screening with a health care provider before testing is done. You also should find out how much the test will cost – not all health insurances cover it.

Breast Cancer Testing

Women ages 50 to 54 should get mammograms every year. Be sure you understand the pros and cons of breast cancer screening.

Starting at age 55, you should switch to getting mammograms every 2 years, or you can continue to get one 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 whether you need to get other tests done 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.

No testing is needed 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 50, all men at average risk should talk with a health care provider about the uncertainties, risks, and potential benefits of testing so they can decide if they want to be tested.