More than 900,000 women in the U.S. are estimated to receive a new cancer diagnosis this year.

Scheduling an Annual Wellness Visit with your primary care provider is the best way to get started.

Following the prevention and screening guidelines below is the next best thing.

Reduce your risk

In addition to knowing your family history and completing an annual family history questionnaire, you can take action to reduce your cancer risk, no matter what your age.

This prevention and early detection plan can help you get started.

In your 20s

• Know how your breasts normally look and feel so you can detect any changes.
• Schedule a clinical breast exam every 3 years.
• Talk to your doctor about getting the HPV vaccine before age 26 years, preferably at age 11 or 12.
• Schedule an HPV test and Pap test every 5 years or Pap test only every 3 years.
• Talk with your doctor about your family history and risk.

In your 30s

• Know how your breasts normally look and feel so you can detect any changes
• Schedule a clinical breast exam every 3 years.
• Schedule an HPV test and Pap test every 5 years or Pap test only every 3 years.
• Talk with your doctor about your family history and risk.

In your 40s

• Know how your breasts normally look and feel so you can detect any changes
• Schedule an annual clinical breast exam.
• Begin annual mammograms at age 40.
• Schedule an HPV test and Pap test every 5 years or Pap test only every 3 years.
• Report any ongoing abdominal swelling; digestive problems; pain in the abdomen, pelvis, back, or legs; or a constant need to urinate.
• Talk with your doctor about your family history and risk.

In your 50s and older

• Know how your breasts normally look and feel so you can detect any changes
• Schedule an annual clinical breast exam.
• Begin annual mammograms at age 40.
• Up to age 65: Schedule an HPV test and Pap test every 5 years or Pap test only every 3 years.
• Over 65: If you have had 3 or more consecutive normal HPV and Pap tests, or a total hysterectomy, you can stop cervical screening.
• Report any ongoing abdominal swelling; digestive problems; pain in the abdomen, pelvis, back, or legs; or a constant need to urinate.
• Schedule a colonoscopy or similar screening every 5–10 years, depending on test.
• After menopause, report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to your physician.
• Ages 55–74: If you are a current or former smoker with at least a 30-pack-year history or a 20-pack-year history plus additional risk factors, you may be a candidate for an annual low-dose lung CT scan.