What Cancers Can You Be Screened for, When and How?

New Brunswick, N.J., February 10, 2025 – Cancer screenings are essential for detecting cancer early—often before symptoms appear—when treatment is most effective. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 2,041,910 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2025, reinforcing the need for cancer screenings. February is National Cancer Prevention Month and a great time to remind individuals of the need to get screened.

RWJBarnabas Health together with Rutgers Cancer Institute, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center urges individuals at average risk to follow the latest cancer screening guidelines to support early detection and prevention. Individuals at high risk should speak to their doctor about getting screened sooner.  Here’s what you need to know:

Colorectal cancer screening is a vital procedure to detect and prevent colorectal cancer.

Who:

• Beginning at age 45, people of average risk for colorectal cancer should get screened.
• If you are at high risk of colon cancer based on family history or other factors, you may need to be screened using a different schedule. Talk with your health care provider about your history and the testing plan that’s best for you.
• A person in good health should continue regular screening through age 75.
• For people aged 76-85, talk with your health care provider about whether continuing to get screened is right for you.

How:

• Colonoscopy: A full colon exam where polyps can be removed, recommended every 10 years.
• Stool-Based Tests: FIT or HSgFOBT every year; stool DNA-FIT every 1–3 years.
• Other Options: Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years or CT colonography every 5 years.

 Learn more: rwjbh.org/colonscreening

Breast cancer screening helps detect the disease early and improve outcomes

Who:

• Women aged 40 to 54 should get a mammogram every year.
• Women 55 and older should speak to their doctor about switching to mammograms every two years.
• Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live 10 more years or longer.
• Women are encouraged to know how their breasts normally feel and report any breast changes promptly to their health care providers.

How:

• Mammogram: A low-dose X-ray that creates detailed images of the breast to detect abnormalities.
• Follow-Up Options: Women with dense breasts can discuss additional tests like ultrasound or MRI with their doctor.

Learn more: rwjbh.org/mammo

Lung cancer screening is recommended for adults at high risk due to smoking history. Early detection with low-dose CT (LDCT) scans can save lives.

Who:

• Adults aged 50 to 80 years who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years should be screened for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (CT) every year.
• Low-Dose CT scan (LDCT): A specialized X-ray that provides detailed images of the lungs to detect early cancer.

• Learn more: rwjbh.org/lung-thoracic-cancer

 Prostate cancer screening aims to detect cancer early to improve outcomes

Who:

• Men at average risk should speak to their health care provider to discuss the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening starting at age 45.
• If you are African American or have a father or brother who had prostate cancer before age 65, you should talk to your health care provider about screening beginning at age 40.

How:

• A Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) screening test can be utilized for patients who may be at risk of prostate cancer

Learn more: rwjbh.org/mensscreening

Make cancer screening part of your lifestyle. Resources are available through Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.