Few words can evoke such a visceral reaction as cancer. But "cancer" is a blanket term that encompasses more than 100 types and subtypes and survival rates from as low as 13% all the way up to 99%.

Across all cancers today, the five-year survivorship rate averages 69% — up 20 percentage points from 50 years ago.

To be sure, the last thing anyone wants to hear is "you have cancer," regardless of stage or type. But the fact of the matter is, depending on stage and type, many cancer diagnoses aren't as scary as they once were.

They also occur more than you might think. According to the American Cancer Society, one in two men and one in three women will develop cancer at some point in their life. The society goes so far as to say everyone is at some risk of developing cancer, but lifestyle factors such as smoking, unhealthy diets and even alcohol consumption can increase one's personal risk. Age, however, is a shared risk across all cancers, with more than 88% of cancers diagnosed at age 50 and above.

That's why preventative care against diseases like cancer, and early detection methods, like screenings through your primary care provider, are so important, says Dr. Kirtan Nautiyal, an oncologist at Houston Methodist.

"Cancer screening is a big part of primary care, but fear unfortunately stops many people from getting screened," says Dr. Nautiyal. "It's the idea of 'I don't want to find anything, so I'm not going to look,' and I completely understand that fear. Many, myself included, make rationalizations to avoid proactive and preventative measures, but it's much better to do these screenings when they're available and can prevent so much grief and worry on your end."

The goal of screening is to find cancer early, before it has the chance to grow, spread and cause symptoms and when treatment is more effective. But not all screenings — nor screening guidelines — are created equal.

Several expert groups have developed their own cancer screening guidelines. Below, we include the American Cancer Society's recommendations for five main cancers, plus some much-needed clarity from Dr. Nautiyal.

1. Breast cancer screening

Breast cancer is the second most frequent type of cancer behind skin cancer. Most women are at an average risk of developing breast cancer, meaning a lifetime risk of less than 15%.

Guidelines

• Starting at 40 years old, women should have the option to begin annual mammography, or breast cancer screening
• Women ages 45 to 54 should get their mammogram every year
• Women ages 55 and older have the option to switch to a mammogram every other year
• Screenings should continue as long as you're in good health and have at least 10 years of life expectancy
• Women at high risk or are unsure of their risk should talk to their doctor about when screening should begin for them

Test or procedure

• A mammogram is an x-ray image of the breasts and is the most common screening procedure
• More advanced imaging (like an MRI) may be recommended for women at higher risk

"It's possible for patients in their 20s and 30s to present with a lump in their breast, but statistically speaking, they're less likely to be cancer in that age group," says Dr. Nautiyal. "That said, if a breast self-exam reveals anything [like a lump], then it should be worked up with a mammogram and potentially further testing."

If your mammogram comes back abnormal, don't panic. Ninety percent of abnormal mammograms are not breast cancer, but your doctor may order more tests to know what's going on. That's why a full discussion between you and your doctor is so important when it comes to breast cancer screening.

(Related: Breast Cysts vs. Cancer: How to Tell the Difference)

2. Prostate cancer screening

About 1 in 8 men will develop prostate cancer in their life, but no major medical organization presently endorses routine prostate screening for average risk men. The reason: overdiagnosis issues. Also, the 10-year survival rate for all stages of known prostate cancer, without routine screening, is a combined 98%.

"Screening for prostate cancer isn't as clear cut as breast or colon cancer, which have more blanket recommendations," says Dr. Nautiyal. "For certain cancers, there are very sensitive and specific mechanisms for screening, but for prostate cancer, the test either doesn't pick up enough or picks up a bunch of junk that isn't even cancer and gets people very worried about it."

Guidelines

• At age 50, men of average risk with good life expectancy (>10 years) should have a conversation with their primary care doctor about the benefits and risks of screening for prostate cancer
• Black men and those with a close relative diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65 should have this discussion at age 45
• Men at even higher risk, meaning those with more than one first-degree relative diagnosed at an early age and those who carry BRCA gene mutations, should have this discussion beginning at 40

Test or procedure

• A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is a simple blood test that checks for a protein produced by the prostate gland. This may be done with or without a rectal exam

Dr. Nautiyal says that an elevated PSA test can indicate several things besides prostate cancer, such as a benign enlargement of the prostate or an infection, which may necessitate a biopsy of the prostate.

"In higher risk groups, you're more likely to find something abnormal, but even so, it's an important they have a discussion of what a positive PSA test means, understanding that it may necessitate further testing that proves to show nothing," says Dr. Nautiyal.

"If you're 55, you may say I'll do anything, but for much older patients, is screening worth it at that point? That's still an open question," he adds.

3. Lung cancer screening

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in U.S., but the most important — and modifiable — risk factor is cigarette smoking. In fact, it's the only other factor that qualifies you for lung cancer screening besides age. However, thanks to reductions in smoking and increases in screening, both the number of new cases and lung cancer-related deaths are decreasing.

Guidelines

You qualify for lung cancer screening if you:

• Are 50 to 80 years old (Medicare does not cover this screening for people over 77)
• Smoked the equivalent of one pack of cigarettes per day for 20 years (two packs daily for 10 years, half pack daily for 40 years, etc.)
• Currently smoke or have quit, regardless of when

Test or procedure

• A low-dose CT scan (a more-detailed, 3D version of an x-ray) is recommended yearly

In the past, the guidelines excluded former smokers who quit more than 15 years prior to beginning screening. However, the American Cancer Society amended their guidelines in 2023 to remove the years-since-quitting restriction, so any former smoker who meets the other two criteria is eligible.

4. Colorectal cancer screening

Approximately 1 in 23 men and 1 in 25 women will develop colorectal cancer in their lifetime — significantly less than breast or prostate cancer. Due to increased screening, overall mortality rates have declined, but both new cases and deaths among younger people have steadily increased.

For people under 50, colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in men and the second leading cause in women, behind only breast cancer, which is why it's so important for younger people to know the signs and symptoms of colon cancer, says Dr. Nautiyal.

"For younger people, there's a tendency to try and explain these symptoms away, and that often leads to a delay in diagnosis," says Dr. Nautiyal. "Not only that, but their physicians may not immediately initiate gastrointestinal testing. We should not necessarily blow them off just because they're in their 20s or 30s."

He further adds, "I'm not saying anybody with abdominal pain should get screened for colon cancer, but a combination of symptoms, like rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, and changes in stool, are triggers for me to investigate a little further."

(Related: PODCAST: Why are Younger Adults Getting Diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer?)

Guidelines

• Everyone 45 and older should get screened for colorectal cancer
• People in good health and with good life expectancy (>10 years) should continue colorectal cancer screening through age 75
• Anyone 76 to 84 and older should have a discussion with their doctor whether to continue screening
• People over 85 should no longer get screened for colorectal cancer

Anyone with a first-degree relative (e.g., parent, sibling, or child) diagnosed with colorectal cancer before 60 years old should start screening at age 40, or 10 years before the first diagnosis in their family — whichever comes first. For example, if your dad was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at 46, then screening should begin at 36. Other higher-risk patients, such as those with inflammatory bowel disease, should talk to their doctor about when to begin screening.

Test or procedure

Any of the following tests or procedures can screen for colorectal cancer:

• A colonoscopy allows doctors to view your colon using a thin tube and tiny camera. It's recommended every 10 years
• A flexible sigmoidoscopy is like a partial colonoscopy that allows doctors to view only the lower part of the colon. This procedure's recommended every five years and is easier and quicker than a colonoscopy and can be done with or without sedation
• A CT colonography takes a 3D x-ray of the entire colon and is recommended every five years
• Stool tests check for blood or abnormal DNA markers that may signify the presence of a colorectal cancer — they're recommended every one to three years

With several options to choose from, it's important you talk to your doctor to decide which screening is best for you.

5. Cervical cancer screening

Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by persistent infections of human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is very common — 90% of men and 80% of women at some point will contract HPV. Most HPV infections resolve on their own, but persistent types that become chronic are what can lead to cancer.

That said, as most cervical precancers develop slowly, cervical cancer can usually be prevented through regular screening. Gardasil 9, the HPV vaccine, protects against 90% of cancer-causing HPV, plus five other types of cancer. However, anyone — regardless of vaccination — should still be screened.

(Related: 8 Things Every Woman Needs to Know About Cervical Cancer)

Guidelines

• Women and people with a cervix 25 to 65 years old should get screened. Vaccination status does not matter
• Anyone over 65 may discontinue screening if the last 10 years' results were negative, with the most recent test within the past five years. If not, they should continue screening
• Individuals without a cervix (total hysterectomy) and without a history of cervical cancer, cervical precancer or a more serious diagnosis in the past 25 years may discontinue screening

Test or procedure

• An HPV DNA test every five years is now the preferred screening for cervical cancer over a pap test
• The pap test is an acceptable alternative to an HPV test and can be done every 3 years

HPV tests are more effective than pap tests because they look for HPV infections before abnormal cells occur. They're also more effective at identifying individuals at risk for cervical adenocarcinoma, which accounts for about 30% of all cervical cancers and is more often missed by pap testing.

How can I know my risk for developing certain cancers?

You may be wondering: What's my own cancer risk?

That's the thing about cancer. The causes aren't well understood for most types. However, research shows there are factors within our realm of influence. Smoking is perhaps the most famous carcinogen. But there are a host of factors, from your drinking habits to diet, that Dr. Nautiyal says your primary doctor should know about to help determine your personal risk.

"Having your primary care doctor take a thorough review at what we call 'social history' is so important," says Dr. Nautiyal. "For instance, patients with a history of IV drug or alcohol use may be at an increased risk for certain cancers. East Asian people may be at a higher risk for gastric and esophageal cancers. Colon and rectal cancers are becoming more common in American and Western culture, probably because of diet and lifestyle."

According to the American Cancer Society, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, at least 42% of newly diagnosed cancers in the U.S. are potentially avoidable. The factors known to contribute to an increased risk of cancer include but are certainly not limited to:

• Cigarette smoking
• Alcohol consumption
• Excess body weight
• Physical inactivity
• Unhealthy diet
• Lack of vaccination against HPV
• Excess sun exposure or tanning

(Related: 8 Ways to Reduce Your Cancer Risk)

What happens if my screening results are abnormal?

As mentioned with breast and prostate cancer, an abnormal screening result doesn't necessarily mean you automatically have cancer. Instead, Dr. Nautiyal says your primary care doctor will be able to order additional testing if your results are abnormal. By the time a patient sees an oncologist, their primary care doctor will have likely made a diagnosis, but there are "confusing" cases with "gray areas" where the PCP will contact an oncologist.

"In those cases, the primary care doctor, especially through Houston Methodist, will reach out to me. I may get involved before a diagnosis in certain cases, but usually the primary care doctor is going to be initiating testing," he says.

Don't let fear stop you from getting screened

Cancer screening saves lives. Plain and simple. But the decision to get checked and take preventative measures is understandably not so cut-and-dry. In parting, Dr. Nautiyal says this:

It's one thing to ignore high blood pressure. You could ignore that for many years before it causes problems. If you have colon or breast cancer and ignore it, there's really no way out, and you will end up becoming more sick and coming to see me at a much sicker state.

The improvements in treatment for higher-staged cancers have been marginal over the past couple of decades, and when you look how cancer mortality rates have been going down, that's not because there are new drugs that have reduced the mortality by that much. It's because we have been reducing smoking, increasing cancer screening, finding cancers at earlier stages or preventing them altogether.

All that to say, dealing with one's own anxiety about medical care is so important because you can't ignore it, and we may not be able to help you in a way that we could have when it's earlier on in the disease course.

It's worth talking with your doctor about it — say, you have a phobia of colonoscopies. There are other noninvasive screening mechanisms, like having a stool sample tested. People may not know there are less invasive or alternative screening mechanisms. I would not let a fear about a particular screening prevent you from having the proper discussions and getting the care you need.

There are ways we can help. You just have to let us try to help you.