The kind of test used to screen for a second cancer depends in part on the kind of cancer treatment the survivors had in the past.

Skin exam is when a doctor or nurse checks the skin for bumps or spots that look abnormal in color, size, shape, or texture, especially in the area where radiation was given. It is suggested that a skin exam be done once a year to check for signs of skin cancer. The doctor will also provide information about sun protection behaviors to reduce the risk of skin cancer.

Breast self-exam is an exam of the breast by the patient. The patient carefully feels the breasts and under the arms for lumps or anything else that seems unusual. It is suggested that women treated with a higher dose of radiation therapy to the chest do a monthly breast self-exam beginning at puberty. Talk to the doctor about when breast self-exams should begin.

Clinical breast exam (CBE) is an exam of the breast by a doctor or other health professional. The doctor will carefully feel the breasts and under the arms for lumps or anything else that seems unusual. It is suggested that women treated with a higher dose of radiation therapy to the chest have a clinical breast exam every year beginning at puberty until age 25. After age 25 or 8 years after radiation treatments end (whichever is first), clinical breast exams are done every 6 months. Talk to the doctor about when clinical breast exams should begin.

Mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. A mammogram may be done in women who had a higher dose of radiation to the chest and who do not have dense breasts. It is suggested that these women have a mammogram once a year starting 8 years after treatment or at age 25, whichever is later. Talk to the doctor about when mammograms to check for breast cancer should begin.

Breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of the breast. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI). An MRI may be done in women who had a higher dose of radiation to the chest and who have dense breasts. It is suggested that these women have an MRI once a year starting 8 years after treatment or at age 25, whichever is later. Talk to the doctor about whether an MRI of the breast to check for breast cancer is needed.

Colonoscopy is a procedure to look inside the rectum and colon for polyps, abnormal areas, or cancer. A colonoscope is inserted through the rectum into the colon. A colonoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove polyps or tissue samples, which are checked under a microscope for signs of cancer. It is suggested that childhood cancer survivors who had a higher dose of radiation to the abdomen, pelvis, or spine have a colonoscopy every 5 years. This begins at age 30 or 5 years after treatment ended, whichever is later. Talk to your doctor about when colonoscopies to check for colorectal cancer should begin.

Multitarget stool DNA test is a test to collect stool to check for cancer cells. This test may be done every 3 years beginning at age 30 or 5 years after treatment ended.