A lifetime of prevention.
A clearer path forward.

Who: Average-risk patients for whom breast screening applies. Prior cancer, a genetic mutation, strong family history, or chest radiation may require an earlier plan and MRI.

• USPSTF: mammogram every 2 years, ages 40–74; evidence is insufficient at 75 and older.
• ACR / Society of Breast Imaging: yearly mammograms from 40; breast cancer risk assessment by 25.
• ACS: option for annual screening at 40–44; annually at 45–54; every 2 years or annually from 55. Continue while in good health with an expected lifespan of at least 10 years.
• ACP, 2026: discuss benefits and harms at 40–49; every 2 years at 50–74.

Dense breasts alone do not establish that everyone needs ultrasound or MRI. Review your overall risk and local coverage.

Read the guidance: USPSTF · breast screening · ACR / SBI · breast screening & risk assessment · ACS · cancer screening overview, updated November 12, 2026 · ACP · 2026 breast screening guidance

• USPSTF final guidance: Pap every 3 years at 21–29. At 30–65: Pap every 3 years, clinician-collected high-risk HPV testing every 5 years, or HPV/Pap co-testing every 5 years.
• ACOG / WPSI, 2026: Pap every 3 years at 21–29; clinician-collected primary HPV every 5 years is preferred at 30–65. FDA-approved self-collected HPV testing every 3 years is an option at 30–65; discuss available alternatives.
• ACS: starts at 25, preferably clinician-collected primary HPV every 5 years; self-collected HPV every 3 years is acceptable. Co-testing every 5 years or Pap every 3 years are alternatives.

Stopping is conditional: do not stop simply because you turn 65. Confirm adequate documented negative tests, no relevant high-grade precancer/cancer history, and no other high-risk condition. ACS’s updated exit guidance includes a final qualifying test no earlier than 65. A total hysterectomy removing the cervix may end routine screening if there is no relevant precancer/cancer history. HPV vaccination does not replace screening.

Read the guidance: USPSTF · cervical screening, final recommendation · ACOG · 2026 cervical screening guidance · HRSA / WPSI · preventive services guidelines · ACS · cervical screening & stopping criteria

USPSTF / ACS / gastroenterology guidance: begin at 45 at average risk. Continue routinely through 75; at 76–85, decide based on previous screening, health, preferences, and expected benefit. Stop after 85.

• FIT stool test: yearly.
• Stool DNA + FIT: every 1–3 years under USPSTF guidance; follow the chosen test’s schedule.
• Colonoscopy: every 10 years after a normal, high-quality examination at average risk.
• CT colonography: every 5 years. Other endoscopy strategies are available.

An abnormal non-colonoscopy screening test requires a colonoscopy. ACS’s 2026 update includes blood-based testing as a nonpreferred option when stool tests or visual exams are declined; it is not interchangeable with every guideline’s recommended options.

Family history changes timing: AGA advises starting at 40 or 10 years before the youngest first-degree relative’s colorectal cancer diagnosis, whichever is earlier. Polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, hereditary syndromes, and prior cancer require a separate surveillance plan.

Read the guidance: USPSTF · colorectal screening & test intervals · AGA · colorectal risk & family history · ACS · cancer screening overview, updated November 12, 2026

USPSTF: ages 50–80, at least 20 pack-years, currently smoking or quit within the past 15 years. Stop once 15 years have passed since quitting or health prevents curative treatment.

ACS: annual low-dose CT at 50–80 with at least 20 pack-years, including people who quit more than 15 years ago. Screening requires sufficient health and willingness to undergo treatment.

20 pack-years means, for example, 1 pack a day for 20 years or 2 packs a day for 10 years. This is a low-dose CT program, not a chest X-ray. Eligibility and insurance coverage can differ.

Read the guidance: USPSTF · lung screening · ACS · cancer screening overview, updated November 12, 2026

ACS, updated November 12, 2026: PSA every 2 years at 50–69 for average-risk men, after explaining benefits, limitations, and harms. Annual screening at 45–69 for Black men and those with a strong family history. Some other family-history patterns warrant testing every 2 years beginning at 45. At 70–74, individualize; no screening at 75+ or with life expectancy under 10 years.

USPSTF: an individual decision at 55–69 after a benefits-and-harms discussion; recommends against routine screening at 70+.

AUA / SUO: uses a shared decision and risk-adapted pathway; see its 2026 update for specialty guidance. Earlier discussion is especially relevant with inherited cancer risk.

A high PSA does not itself diagnose cancer. Follow-up can include repeat PSA and additional testing before biopsy. Possible harms include false alarms, biopsy complications, and treatment of a cancer that would never cause symptoms.

Read the guidance: ACS · prostate screening, November 2026 update · USPSTF · prostate screening · AUA / SUO · 2026 early detection update

USPSTF: screen all adults from 18. Every 3–5 years may be appropriate at 18–39 with previously normal pressure and no increased risk. Screen yearly at 40+ or earlier with increased risk.

Confirm a new diagnosis with validated home or ambulatory readings before starting treatment when clinically appropriate. Existing high blood pressure needs a monitoring plan, rather than this screening schedule.

Read the guidance: USPSTF · blood pressure screening

2026 ACC / AHA and partner societies: a lipid panel beginning at 19, at least every 5 years; more often with additional cardiovascular risk. Measure lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), at least once in adulthood to assess inherited risk.

Children generally have a lipid screen at 9–11; strong family history can prompt testing earlier. A coronary calcium scan is a selective decision tool for some adults whose treatment decision remains uncertain, not a universal birthday screening.

Read the guidance: ACC / AHA & partner societies · 2026 lipid guideline

American Diabetes Association, 2026: begin by 35 for everyone else not already meeting earlier risk-based criteria. With normal results, repeat at least every 3 years; earlier testing is appropriate with overweight/obesity plus other risk factors.

USPSTF: screen nonpregnant adults 35–70 with overweight or obesity; a 3-year interval is reasonable after normal results. Consider earlier testing or a lower BMI threshold in higher-risk populations.

Prediabetes generally needs yearly testing. Prior gestational diabetes needs testing at least every 1–3 years. Diabetes already diagnosed requires its own monitoring and complication-screening schedule.

Read the guidance: American Diabetes Association · 2026 screening criteria · USPSTF · prediabetes & type 2 diabetes

USPSTF, 2025: screen women at 65+, and postmenopausal women under 65 who are at increased fracture risk after clinical risk assessment. Evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against screening men.

Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation: recommends bone density testing for women 65+ and men 70+, with earlier testing in selected patients.

A low-trauma fracture, long-term steroid use, early menopause, and other conditions can change timing. There is no single repeat interval for everyone; results, treatment, and risk determine when to repeat.

Read the guidance: USPSTF · 2025 osteoporosis screening · Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation · bone density testing

USPSTF: one-time abdominal ultrasound for men 65–75 who have ever smoked. Selectively offer screening to men in that age range who have never smoked after reviewing other risks.

No routine screening for women who have never smoked and have no family history. Evidence is insufficient for women 65–75 who have smoked or have a family history; discuss individual and specialty recommendations.

Read the guidance: USPSTF · abdominal aortic aneurysm

• HIV: CDC recommends at least once at 13–64; USPSTF uses 15–65, with younger/older patients tested when at risk. Test during pregnancy and repeat based on exposure risk.
• Hepatitis B: CDC recommends a one-time triple-panel blood test for all adults 18+, with repeat testing when indicated. Pregnancy requires hepatitis B testing each pregnancy.
• Hepatitis C: CDC recommends at least once for adults 18+ in nearly all settings and during each pregnancy; repeat with ongoing exposure risk. USPSTF’s universal adult age range is 18–79.

Vaccination and previous testing affect interpretation; hepatitis B vaccination does not automatically document a prior screening panel.

Read the guidance: CDC · HIV testing · CDC · hepatitis B screening · CDC · hepatitis C screening · USPSTF · recommendation directory

CDC: annual chlamydia/gonorrhea screening for sexually active women under 25 and older women with increased risk; adapt recommendations to anatomy. Men who have sex with men need at least annual site-specific STI screening, and sometimes every 3–6 months depending on risk.

Syphilis, repeat HIV testing, and tuberculosis screening are risk-based rather than universal annual panels. Tell your clinician about new partners, exposure sites, travel or residence in high-TB settings, immune suppression, and known exposures.

Read the guidance: CDC · STI screening recommendations · USPSTF · recommendation directory

USPSTF: depression screening at 12–18 and in adults, including pregnancy and postpartum. Anxiety screening at 8–18 and in adults through 64, including pregnancy and postpartum; evidence is insufficient for universal anxiety screening at 65+.

There is no single evidence-based repeat interval for all adults. Screening works best when there is a plan for assessment, treatment, and follow-up. Any symptoms deserve attention even outside these age ranges.

Read the guidance: USPSTF · recommendation directory · AAP · Bright Futures preventive care schedule

American Academy of Ophthalmology: for adults without symptoms or risk factors, comprehensive exams every 5–10 years under 40; every 2–4 years at 40–54; every 1–3 years at 55–64; every 1–2 years at 65+.

American Optometric Association: recommends more frequent routine exams in some age groups, including annual exams at 65+. Diabetes, glaucoma risk, medications, and new visual symptoms require individualized care.

Children follow scheduled hearing and vision screening through AAP Bright Futures. Adults should report hearing changes; routine hearing screening of every asymptomatic older adult does not have an established USPSTF benefit.

Read the guidance: American Academy of Ophthalmology · adult eye evaluation · American Optometric Association · comprehensive eye exams · AAP · Bright Futures preventive care schedule · USPSTF · recommendation directory