February is National Cancer Prevention Month—a reminder to take charge of your health through preventative screenings. In 2026, the American Cancer Society projects over two million new cancer cases (about 5,800 every single day) and more than 620,000 deaths.   

Thankfully, incredible advancements in medicine and research make it easier than ever to stay on guard. Here’s how to best protect yourself from cancer, now, and in the future. 

Why Should I Have Cancer Screenings?

Put simply, screenings help find cancer early, sometimes even before there are symptoms. During this phase of early detection, doctors have the most options for slowing and treating the cancer.

Cancer tests may involve:

• Physical exams
• Lab tests (such as blood or urine samples)
• Imaging procedures (such as MRIs or ultrasounds)
• Genetic tests

It is important to remember that being referred for a test doesn’t mean that your doctor believes that you have cancer. The tests often help rule out cancer as a possibility. 

When Will My Doctor Recommend Screenings?

Even if you have no symptoms, preventive cancer screenings are recommended if you are at risk for certain cancers.

This may mean that you have:

• A family history
• A personal history
• Certain previously identified genetic signs
• Previous exposure to cancer-causing substances either through smoking or in your workplace
• Developed a blood clot without a clear reason

Doctors are also more likely to recommend screenings for older patients, but if you have more risk factors, your doctor may suggest screenings at a younger age than usual.

Types of Screenings

You doctor may recommend one or more of the following screenings: 

• Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy screenings look for early signs of colorectal cancer. The CDC recommends that adults age 45-75 be screened for colorectal cancer.
• Yearly low-dose CT (LDCT) lung cancer scans are suggested for people aged 50-80 years who currently smoke or formerly smoked and have at least a 20 pack-a-year smoking history.
• Mammograms screen for breast cancer and have been shown to reduce deaths from the disease. A biennial screening mammography is recommended for women aged 40-74 years.
• Pap and HPV testing are used for early detection and treatment of cervical cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends that individuals at average risk begin cervical cancer screening at age 25 and undergo primary HPV testing every five years through age 65.

Other screenings outlined by the National Cancer Institute are used to look for:

• Liver disease (blood test)
• Genetic mutations that lead to breast cancer (breast MRI)
• Ovarian cancer (blood test and ultrasound)
• Abnormalities leading to skin cancer (skin exams)
• Prostate cancer (blood test)

Early Detection is Key

Early detection is the number one goal of these screenings. By finding any abnormalities at their earliest stage, you can reduce the chance of the cancer spreading and improve the chances of treating or even curing it. 

In fact, a December 2024 study from the National Institutes of Health found that prevention and screening accounted for 80% of the nearly 6 million deaths averted from breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers from 1975-2020.

The best way to stay healthy and make sure you are getting the screenings you need is to get regular health checkups. Depending on your personal and family health histories, your doctor may recommend additional screenings for you.

AltaMed Is Here for You

From mammograms and colonoscopies to Pap tests and lung cancer screenings, AltaMed offers the preventive services you need to catch health issues early. Many screenings are covered at no cost by your health plan. Call us today at (888) 499-9303 or visit our Getting Started page.