TABLE 142-3. SCREENING PROCEDURES RECOMMENDED BY THE AMERICAN<BR>CANCER SOCIETY

TABLE 142-3. SCREENING PROCEDURES RECOMMENDED BY THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
Type of Cancer	Procedure	Frequency
Breast cancer	Breast self-examination	Monthly after age 18
	Breast physical examination	Every 3 yr between ages 18 and 40; then yearly
	Mammography	Initial baseline examination between ages 35 and 40, every 1 to 2 yr between ages 40 and 49, and yearly after age 50
Cervical cancer	Papanicolaou (Pap) test	Yearly between ages 18 and 65^a
Cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancers	Pelvic examination	Every 1 to 3 yr between ages 18 and 40; then yearly
Lung cancer	Chest x-ray	Not recommended on a routine basis
	Sputum cytology	Not recommended on a routine basis
Prostate cancer	Rectal examination and blood test for prostate-specific antigen	Yearly after age 50 (or age 45 if in a high-risk group)
Rectal and colon cancer	Stool examination for occult blood	Yearly after age 50
	Rectal examination	Yearly after age 40
	Sigmoidoscopy	Every 3 to 5 yr after age 50
^aAfter three or more consecutive normal examinations, a Pap test may be performed less often at the physician's discretion; most women > 65 yr need Pap tests less often.
Modified from the American Cancer Society publications #2070-LE and 92-10M-No. 3402.