>> Breast Cancer: Experts recommend that women start screening in their thirties or even—if there’s a family history—in their twenties. Younger women can perform the breast self-exam at home (call 800-462-9273 or visit www.komen.org to find out how); they should also have mammograms and clinical breast exams performed every three years. Women over 40 should schedule these tests annually. For more info, call Sisters Network Inc. at 866-781-1808.

>> Prostate Cancer: Because of higher risk, African-American men should start screening at 40. Ask your doctor for a digital rectal exam or a prostate-specific antigen test, which looks for abnormal levels of a protein produced by the prostate. Call the National Prostate Cancer Coalition at 888-245-9455.

>> Colorectal Cancer: If you have a family history of colon or rectal cancer, ask annually for a fecal occult blood test, which examines stool for traces of blood. For those over 50, the American Cancer Society recommends a flexible sigmoidoscopy or a double-contrast barium enema every five years or a colonoscopy every 10. Contact the Colon Cancer Alliance at 877-422-2030.

>> Lung Cancer: If you’re exposed to smoke or toxic materials or have a family history, ask your doctor for a chest X-ray or a CAT scan (a three-dimensional X-ray). Call the Alliance for Lung Cancer Advocacy Support and Education at 800-298-2436.

For general information on cancer, call the American Cancer Society at 800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.