If you are 65 or older, these screening tests for certain cancers are covered by Medicare and are recommended:

Colon Cancer Testing

Testing is recommended up through age 75. People aged 76 to 85 should talk with their health care provider about whether continuing screening is right for them. Most people older than 85 should no longer be screened. If you are being screened, there are many 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 have a smoking history, talk to a health care provider about it and whether you should get an annual low-dose CT scan to screen for early lung cancer. Screening may benefit if you smoke now or smoked before (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, and risks of screening with a health care provider before testing is done.

Breast Cancer Testing

You should get a mammogram every 2 years, or you can choose to get one every year. Be sure you understand the pros and cons of breast cancer screening.

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

No testing is needed if you’ve had regular cervical cancer testing with normal results during the previous 10 years.

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

Overall health status, and not age alone, is important when making decisions about prostate cancer testing. Men who can expect to live at least 10 more years 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.