Cancer screening means checking for cancer (or for abnormal cells that could become cancer) in people who have no symptoms. Several screening tests have been shown to find cancer early and can help lower the risk of dying from that cancer. On this page, you can learn about cancer screening in general, and what to expect with cancer-specific screenings. You can also find locations for where to get screened for certain cancers.
For financial assistance with managing your condition, see our page on Free & Discounted Services.
- Cancer Screening Guidelines by Age (ACS)
- Cancer Screening Overview (NIH)
- Cervical Cancer: What Should I Know About Screening? (CDC)
- Colorectal (Colon) Cancer: What Should I know? (CDC)
- Prostate Cancer Screening (NIH)
- Screening Tests (CDC)
- Skin Cancer Screening (NIH)
- What is Breast Cancer Screening? (CDC)
- Who Should Be Screened for Lung Cancer? (CDC)
- Find a Breast and Cervical Screening Program Near You (USDHHS)
- Find a free skin cancer screening (AAD)
- Free Mammograms in North Carolina (Free Mammograms)
- North Carolina Lung Cancer Screening Program (Lung Cancer Initiative of North Carolina)
To locate screening locations for other cancers, contact your doctor or insurance company. If you don’t have insurance, you can still get important screening tests. To learn more, go to find a health center near you.
Resources selected by Linda Johnsen, Health Sciences Library, UNC-Chapel Hill
Last reviewed July 12, 2023