Executive on Cancer Program for Women
Cancer screening tests are used to detect cancer or pre-cancerous spots before symptoms appear and, in most cases, when treatments are most effective. Women's cancer screening guidelines have been developed by a number of organizations. While different organizations' standards differ slightly, they all encompass the same basic health screenings for breast, cervical, and colon cancers, and they recommend starting as early as late adolescence.
Additionally, during normal health checkups (at any age), your healthcare professional may check for skin, mouth, and thyroid malignancies. Not every screening test is suitable for everyone. Your personal and family history of cancer, as well as the presence of a known genetic susceptibility, can influence which tests are appropriate for you and when you should start them. As a result, you should talk with your healthcare physician about them.