Cancer Screening Reminders: Apps and Tools to Stay on Schedule
Use apps and digital tools to track when your mammogram, colonoscopy, skin check, and other cancer screenings are due so you never miss one.
At a Glance
Ask your doctor which screenings apply to you
~36sQuick Tip
If you have a close family member who had cancer, especially a parent or sibling, tell your doctor. Some cancers have genetic components that mean you should start screening earlier or more often than standard guidelines suggest.
Use your patient portal to see upcoming screening reminders
~36sWarning
Patient portal reminders are based on what your healthcare system has recorded. If you had a screening at a different facility, it may not appear in your portal. Always confirm your full screening history with your doctor in person.
Set annual reminders on your phone
~36sQuick Tip
On iPhone, open the Calendar app, create an event, tap "Repeat," and choose "Yearly." On Android, open Google Calendar, create an event, and select "Every year" in the repeat options.
Check the American Cancer Society guidelines online
~21sFollow up when a screening is due
~38sWarning
Never skip a scheduled screening because you feel fine. Many cancers cause no symptoms in the early stages — which is precisely why scheduled screenings are so valuable. Feeling well does not mean a screening is unnecessary.
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Cancer screenings save lives. When cancers are caught early — before symptoms develop — treatment is usually more effective and often less intensive. But keeping track of which screenings you are due for and when can be confusing, especially when different screenings have different recommended intervals and those recommendations can change based on your age, personal history, and family history.
The most commonly recommended cancer screenings for adults in the United States include mammograms for breast cancer, colonoscopies for colorectal cancer, low-dose CT scans for lung cancer in people with a smoking history, Pap smears and HPV tests for cervical cancer, PSA tests for prostate cancer in men, and annual skin checks with a dermatologist. Your doctor will tell you which screenings apply to you based on your age, sex, and risk factors.
Several digital tools can help you track when each screening is due. The Apple Health app and Google Health Connect both have a Medical Records section that can sync with many electronic health record systems, showing past test dates alongside future care reminders. Patient portal apps from major health systems — like MyChart — often have a "Preventive Care" section that lists overdue and upcoming screenings based on clinical guidelines.
The American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute both have online tools and calculators at cancer.org and cancer.gov where you can look up the current screening recommendations for your age and risk profile.
The most important step is to talk openly with your doctor about which screenings you need and when. Ask at every annual physical: "Am I up to date on all my cancer screenings?" Then write down the answer and set a reminder on your phone calendar so it does not slip through the cracks.
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