What every woman should know about early detection of cancer

When it comes to cancer, what you don’t know can hurt you. But here’s the good news: early detection saves lives. Being proactive with screenings and paying attention to subtle changes in your body is one of the most powerful steps you can take for your long-term health.

Why early detection matters

The earlier cancer is found, the more likely it is that treatment will be effective in slowing or halting its growth—before it spreads. That often means better cure rates and survival outcomes.¹

Early detection of common cancers that affect women—such as breast, cervical, lung, and colorectal cancer—can make the difference between a manageable diagnosis and a life-threatening one.

The screenings that could save your life

Think of screenings as regular wellness check-ins for your body. Screening tests have been proven to aid the detection of cancer before any symptoms appear.

Here are the main ones to be aware of:

• Mammogram (for breast cancer) - Starting at age 40,² or earlier if you have certain risk factors like a family history, an annual or biannual mammogram (x-ray of the breast tissue) can detect breast cancer early—before it can be felt or seen.
• Pap Smear + HPV Test (for cervical cancer) - Starting at age 21, women are recommended to undergo Pap smears (often paired with human papilloma virus or HPV testing) every 3–5 years,³ depending on your doctor’s recommendation. These tests identify abnormal cells before they have a chance to turn into cancer.
• Low-dose Chest Computed Tomography (CT) (for lung cancer) - If you have a history of smoking or are still smoking,⁴ talk to your doctor about whether you are eligible for lung cancer screening with a low-dose CT scan of the chest (and stop smoking).
• Colonoscopy (for colorectal cancer) - Starting at age 45,⁵ screening for colon and rectal cancer with a colonoscopy (a procedure that allows for direct visualization of the inside of the large intestine) is recommended. There is also a non-invasive screening test available for eligible individuals.

Know your body. Speak up.

Life gets busy. It’s easy to brush off subtle signs or chalk things up to stress or aging. But your body often whispers before it screams.

 Don’t ignore symptoms like:

• Lumps or bumps in your breasts, neck, armpits, or groin

• Abnormal discharge or bleeding 

• Changes in your bowel habits

• Persistent pain
  
  

The above list is not all-inclusive and if something feels off, trust your instincts and talk to your doctor.

What screenings do you need?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The screenings you need—and when you need them—depend on your age, your medical history, family history, and individual risk factors. That’s why open communication with your healthcare provider is key.

The bottom line

Early cancer detection saves lives, and one of the most effective tools we have is regular screening. Being informed, staying on schedule with screening tests, and listening to your body can make all the difference.

Your health is worth the time. Stay proactive—and encourage the women in your life to do the same.

References

¹ Crosby D, Bhatia S, Brindle KM, et al. Early detection of cancer. Science. 2022;375(6586):eaay9040. doi:10.1126/science.aay9040.  

² USPSTF: Breast Cancer Screening. At: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/breast-cancer-screening. Updated April 30,2024. Accessed April 28, 2025. 

³ National Cancer Institute: Cervical Cancer Screening. At: https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/screening. Updated February 13, 2025. Accessed April 28, 2025.

⁴ USPSTF: Lung Cancer Screening. At: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/lung-cancer-screening. Accessed April 28, 2025. 

⁵ USPSTF: Colon Cancer Screening. At: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/colorectal-cancer-screening. Accessed April 28, 2025.