Cancer Screenings

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Catch Cancer Early

Screening can often catch cancer before you have noticeable symptoms. At Sanford Health, we provide the latest in imaging technology and screening methods to ensure precise and detailed results.

Learn more about cancer care.

 

Personalized Cancer Screenings

Everyone should get screened. It’s important to get screened for cancer early, even before you feel symptoms. By catching cancer when it is most treatable, you’ll increase your chances of beating it.

View our guidelines for recommended cancer screening schedules. Talk to your doctor to learn how your family and personal history affect these recommendations.

Other types of cancers do not have a set screening recommendation or test. It is important to talk with your primary care doctor about any changes or symptoms in your health. They can recommend special or additional testing.

Find the latest cancer screening news and stories on Sanford Health News.


Convenient Scheduling

Talk to your primary care provider to identify the right cancer screening schedule for you. To make an appointment, call a clinic near you or use My Sanford Chart.

Breast Cancer Screening

Cervical Cancer Screening
Women should get cervical cancer screenings starting at age 21. These screenings can be part of your wellness visits.

Schedule a visit with your primary care provider through My Sanford Chart or by calling your local clinic.

Colorectal Cancer Screening
If you’re over 45-years-old and due for a colorectal screening, schedule an appointment by calling your clinic or request a colonoscopy through My Sanford Chart. Select Menu and click Request a Colonoscopy in the Communication section.

If you’re under 45-years-old, having symptoms, have a family history of colon cancer or would like to consider other screening options, discuss your options with your primary care provider.

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Skin Cancer Screenings

Other Screenings
Additional cancer screenings, such as prostate cancer and lung cancer screenings, are available based on your personal risk.

Talk to your primary care provider to understand your risks and the best screening options for you.

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Cancer Screening Guidelines

Breast Cancer Screening

There’s a lot you can do to be proactive about your breast health, including completing regular screenings and annual exams. Your doctor will provide recommendations for you based on your personal and family history.

For many patients, this involves:

  • Practicing breast awareness at home
  • Clinical breast exams at routine wellness visits starting at age 25
  • Yearly mammograms starting at age 40

Learn more about mammography.

Schedule your mammogram today.

Cervical Cancer Screening

There are two types of cervical cancer screenings: a Pap smear and an HPV test.

Talk to your provider about screening recommendations based on your age and other factors. Women should get screened for cervical cancer starting at age 21.

Learn more about cervical cancer.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Colorectal cancer screening helps find polyps, or abnormal tissue growths, inside your colon so they can be removed before they turn into cancer.

Your screening options include:

  • A colonoscopy, which is a procedure where a physician uses a scope to examine the lining of the colon.
  • A fecal immunochemical test (FIT) checks for hidden blood in the stool.
  • Cologuard is a type of FIT-DNA test that checks stool samples for blood and cancer DNA biomarkers.

If you’re at average risk for colorectal cancer, get screened starting at age 45. Discuss your risks and which screening options are best for you with your primary care provider.

Lung Cancer Screening

Consider getting screened for lung cancer if you’re between the ages of 50 and 77 (age criteria may depend on your insurance company), in good health and either:


  • Currently smoke or have quit in the last 15 years
  • Have a smoking history of a 20 pack-year or more. A pack-year is smoking an average of one pack of cigarettes per day for one year. For example, a person could have a 20 pack-year history by smoking one pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years.

Talk with your primary care provider about whether you should get screened for lung cancer.

Learn more about lung cancer.

Prostate Cancer Screening

If you’re a man at average risk of developing prostate cancer, ask your primary care provider about prostate cancer screenings at age 50.

If you have a family history of prostate cancer or are at increased risk for the disease, ask your primary care provider about prostate cancer screenings at age 40.

Learn more about prostate cancer

Skin Cancer Screening

You may need to undergo skin cancer screenings depending on your personal and family risk factors.

We recommend getting familiar with your normal pattern of freckles, moles and blemishes with:

  • Monthly skin self-exams
  • Yearly visual skin exams by your primary care provider or dermatologist