Note that recommendations in your Setlist are based on your sex assigned at birth. This tool is only meant to assess general health risks. Make sure to double check with your insurance company to ensure that you are covered.

Colorectal Cancer

Start regular colorectal (colon) cancer testing at age 45, no later than 50. There are several different types of tests - some require you to go in person, others can be done at home. Some require sedation, others do not. Less invasive methods are typically required to be done more often. You and your doctor can decide which test is the best fit for you. No matter which test you choose, the important thing is to get tested.

DID YOU KNOW? Black men over 50 have the highest incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer.

Breast Cancer

MYTHBUSTING: People of all genders can develop breast cancer. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about your family history or risk.

Prostate Cancer

Starting age 45, those at high risk (African Americans, Caribbean of African ancestry, and anyone with close family members who had prostate cancer before age 65) should discuss testing with a healthcare provider. With the guidance of your doctor, you can decide if you want to be tested with a PSA blood test, with or without a digital rectal exam. Talk to your doctor about how often you will get tested.

Lung Cancer

If you are a current or former smoker 50-80 years old and in fairly good health, talk to your doctor about screening with a yearly CT scan.

DID YOU KNOW? LGBTQ+ individuals engage in cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption at higher rates than cisgender and heterosexual peers. Tobacco companies have utilized predatory marketing strategies to target LGBTQ+ individuals and unhoused people. Engaging in cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption can increase risk factors for a variety of chronic illnesses.

Diabetes Screening

If you are determined to be overweight, you should be screened for diabetes with a blood test. Repeat testing every three years if results are normal.

DID YOU KNOW? American Indian/Alaska Natives have the highest incidence rate of diagnosed diabetes within their racial group, followed closely by Black, Hispanic, and Asian people.

Heart Disease Screening

At each healthcare visit, your blood pressure, weight, and BMI should be checked. You should also discuss smoking, physical activity, and your diet with your doctor at each visit. After the age of 40, work with your doctor to determine 10-year risk of experiencing cardiovascular disease or stroke.

DID YOU KNOW? Black and white adults 18+ are at highest risk for heart disease.

DID YOU KNOW? LGBTQ+ individuals engage in cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption at higher rates than cisgender and heterosexual peers. Tobacco companies have utilized predatory marketing strategies to target LGBTQ+ individuals and unhoused people. Engaging in cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption can increase risk factors for a variety of chronic illnesses.

Useful Terms

• Colorectal (colon) cancer testing: Helps prevent colorectal cancer and/or find it early when it may be easier to treat. Any abnormal result found in a non-colonoscopy test should be followed up with a colonoscopy. There are two general types:

  • Stool-based tests: These tests check the stool (feces) for signs of cancer. These tests are less invasive and easier to have done, but they need to be done more often.

  • Visual (structural) exams: These tests look at the structure of the colon and rectum for any abnormalities. This is done either with a scope (a tube-like instrument with a light and tiny video camera on the end) put into the rectum, or with special imaging (x-ray) tests.

• Mammogram: An x-ray of the breast that is used to help look for signs of breast cancer in people who don’t have any breast symptoms or problems.

• Prostate cancer testing/PSA blood test: Tests the levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood, which may be higher in men with prostate cancer. With a digital rectal exam, a healthcare provider checks the prostate for lumps or abnormal size.

• Diabetes screening: A blood test measuring blood glucose (“blood sugar”) and glycated hemoglobin A1c levels. High blood glucose can put you at higher risk of developing insulin resistance, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes. An A1c level of 6.5% or higher is used to define diabetes.

• Fasting lipoprotein profile: A blood test that measures total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol and HDL (good) cholesterol.