This post was written by Joshua Kline, MD, FAAFP, physician leader, Primary Care.
The start of a new year always feels like a fresh slate—an opportunity to reset habits, set new goals and recommit to taking care of ourselves. While many people focus on diet, exercise or other lifestyle improvements, I want to shine a spotlight on a vital but often overlooked piece of your long-term health: cancer screenings. These simple, scheduled tests are some of the most powerful tools we have for catching disease early, when it’s most treatable.
Below, I answer some of the most common questions patients ask me about preventative care and cancer screenings, and how to make them part of a healthier year ahead.
Why is the start of a new year a good time to think about preventative health and screenings?
A new year naturally encourages reflection and routine-building. Insurance benefits often reset, calendars feel more open and people are already in the mindset of self-improvement. This makes it an ideal time to schedule your annual physical and check which screenings you may be due for. Think of it as your yearly “baseline check” on your body’s well-being.
How can people include cancer screenings in their New Year’s resolutions?
Instead of vague resolutions like “be healthier,” consider setting specific, measurable goals, such as:
- Schedule my annual mammogram by March.
- Ask my doctor if I’m due for a colonoscopy.
- Update my family medical history so I understand my risk factors.
Adding screenings to your resolutions gives you clear action items—ones that take only a few hours but can literally save your life.
What message would you share with patients who focus on diet and exercise but overlook preventative checkups?
Healthy habits are powerful, and I applaud anyone working on them. But lifestyle alone doesn’t replace screening. Cancer can develop even in people who eat well, exercise regularly and feel perfectly fine. Screenings are designed to catch what you can’t feel or see. Think of them as the safety net under your healthy lifestyle: you’re doing your part, and screenings help ensure nothing slips through unseen.
Why are cancer screenings such an important part of preventative care?
Screenings are one of the few tools in medicine that truly prevent serious illness:
- They can detect precancerous changes before cancer even forms.
- When cancer is found early, treatment is often simpler, less invasive and more effective.
- Early detection significantly improves survival rates.
Preventative care isn’t just about avoiding illness, it’s about giving yourself every possible advantage for long-term health.
Which cancer screenings do you recommend most often, and for which age groups?
While individual recommendations vary, these are the most common screening guidelines I discuss:
- Breast cancer: Mammograms beginning at age 40–50, depending on risk factors, and repeated every 1–2 years.
- Cervical cancer: Pap test and HPV testing for individuals with a cervix starting at age 21, with frequency depending on the type of test.
- Colorectal cancer: Starting at age 45 for average-risk adults, through colonoscopy or stool-based tests.
- Lung cancer: Annual low-dose CT scans for adults 50–77 with a significant smoking history (20 pack-years with one pack-year = smoking one pack per day for one year, one pack = 20 cigarettes).
- Prostate cancer: PSA testing discussions typically begin around age 50, earlier for higher-risk groups (including Black men and those with a family history).
Your primary care physician or advanced practice provider can help tailor these to your personal risk.
How does someone know which screenings are right for them?
The best way is to have an honest conversation with your healthcare provider. We consider:
- Your age
- Personal medical history
- Family history
- Lifestyle factors (such as smoking history)
- Existing symptoms or concerns
No two patients are exactly alike, so your screening plan should be personalized—not one-size-fits-all.
What are the most common reasons people delay or skip their screenings? And how do you encourage patients to overcome those barriers?
The reasons are familiar:
- Busy schedules
- Fear or anxiety about results
- Discomfort with the procedure
- Confusion about what they need
- Cost or insurance worries
To overcome these barriers, I encourage patients to:
- Break screenings into one simple next step: make the appointment.
- Ask questions—fear usually stems from the unknown.
- Remember the purpose: screenings are to protect you, not worry you.
- Use available resources: many programs offer reduced-cost or free screenings.
Avoiding a screening doesn’t protect your health, but taking the first step does.
What small step can someone take today to make preventative care a priority this year?
Schedule your annual physical. That single appointment opens the door to every other preventative step you may need. From there, we can review your history, update your records, and create a clear screening plan for the year.
Final thoughts
You don’t need to overhaul your life to protect your health. You just need to stay proactive. Cancer screenings are quick, effective and backed by decades of research showing they save lives. This new year, give yourself the gift of peace of mind by making preventative care part of your wellness routine.
