Talk with your health care provider. Ask how the following American Cancer Society screening guidelines relate to you.

Under Age 40:

A cancer-related checkup every three years should include the procedures listed below plus health counseling (such as tips on quitting tobacco use) and examinations for cancers of the thyroid, testicles, mouth, ovaries, skin, and lymph nodes. Some people are at higher risk for certain cancers and may need to have tests more frequently.

• Breast: Exam by a health care professional every three years, age 20 and over and self-exam every month, age 20 and over.
   

• Uterus: Pelvic exam every one to three years with Pap test, age 18 and over. All women who are, or have been sexually active, or have reached age 18, should have an annual Pap test and pelvic examination. After three or more consecutive satisfactory examinations with normal findings, the Pap test may be performed less frequently at the discretion of your doctor.

Young women and girls should receive the human papillomavirus vacccine. HPV is the most common cause of cervical cancer. The vaccine, Gardasil, is approved for use in girls and women 9-26 years of age and is most effective when given before the onset of sexual activity. The vaccine is administered as three injections over a six-month period and contains no live virus. Since the vaccine is new, the FDA is still researching how long it protects against HPV and whether a booster is needed after a few years.

¢ The Missouri Foundation for Health recently committed $11 million to purchase enough HPV vaccine so that every uninsured and underinsured Missouri girl and woman ages 9-26 can receive the vaccine for free. Visit www.mohpv.org for more information.

40 and Over:

A cancer-related checkup every year should include the procedures listed below plus health counseling and examinations for cancers of the thyroid, testicles, mouth, ovaries, skin, and lymph nodes. Some people are at higher risk for certain cancers and may need to have tests more frequently.

• Breast: Exam by a health care professional every year, self-exam every month, screening mammogram (breast X-ray) yearly.
   

• Uterus: Pelvic exam every year with Pap test. After three or more consecutive satisfactory examinations with normal findings, the Pap test may be performed less frequently at the discretion of the doctor. Endometrial tissue sample at menopause, if at high risk.

¢ Pap tests, and pelvic exams and mammograms to screen for breast cancer, cervical cancer and other women's cancers are available to all women. Click here for information about programs that provide free or reduced-cost cancer screenings for uninsured and/or low-income women.

50 and Over:

Colon and rectum: Fecal occult blood test every year and flexible sigmoidoscopy* every five years or colonoscopy* every 10 years or double-contrast barium enema* every five to 10 years.