The life time risk of developing cancer is now 45% for men and 38% for women (see stats section). The best strategy is prevention or avoidance (no smoking, avoid the sun etc., see prevention section.)

The next best thing is to get the appropriate screening tests, so if cancer develops it can be diagnosed during the earliest stage. Guidelines are constantly being modified, and the best links are from the American Cancer Society (ACS), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) see below. For instance, mammograms have been the standard screening test for breast cancer, but now MRI’s may be needed as well. The role of CT scans to screen for lung cancer remains controversial. The age when men should start checking their PSA is changing. Also see sections on PET Scans and Tumor Markers.

The best sites for screening guidelines include: American Cancer Society, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, NCCN, NCI Screening/testing