Free lesson · USPSTF Guidelines
Free · No sign-upUSPSTF screening, memorized
Free for everyone, with no account. Covers: What USPSTF grades A, B, C, D, and I mean · Breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancer screening · Hypertension, statin, diabetes, and AAA recommendations · HIV, hepatitis, and STI screening · Grade C and D recommendations and prenatal must-knows.
Every recommendation was checked against the USPSTF website (opens in a new tab) on . Recommendations change: check the source before relying on one in practice.
USPSTF grades and the high-yield screens
The letter grades, then the cancer, cardiometabolic, infection, and pregnancy recommendations that show up most on board exams. Watch the video (it pauses to quiz you), review the flashcards, then run the drill.
USPSTF grades and screening recommendations
What grades A, B, C, D, and I mean, then breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancer screening; blood pressure, statins, diabetes, and AAA; HIV, hepatitis, and STIs; osteoporosis and mental health; the C and D grades; and pregnancy.
Preview lesson with automated narration. A version recorded by Dr. Dave will replace it.
Lesson flashcards
19 cards
Practice questions
12 questions
Question 1 of 12
A 42-year-old woman at average risk asks when she should start mammograms. What does the USPSTF recommend?
Make it stick
USPSTF Guidelines mnemonics
Each one is also in the flashcard deck above (tagged Mnemonic), so spaced repetition brings it back right before you would forget it.
A Always · B Beneficial · C Case by case · D Don't · I I don't know
The five USPSTF grades in order.
50 to 80, 20 pack-years, quit under 15
Yearly low-dose CT for lung cancer (B).
A man, 65 to 75, who ever smoked
One-time ultrasound for abdominal aortic aneurysm (B).
PSA and aspirin: C in the middle years, D when older
PSA 55–69 C, 70+ D. Aspirin for primary CVD prevention 40–59 C, 60+ D.
Pap at 21, HPV joins at 30, stop at 65
Cervical: cytology every 3 years from 21; from 30, HPV every 5 years is an option; stop after 65 with adequate screening.
Quick reference
High-yield screens (grade, year)
| Screen | Who |
|---|---|
| Breast: mammography every 2 years (B, 2024) | Women 40–74 |
| Cervical (A, 2018) | 21–29: cytology every 3 y · 30–65: cytology every 3 y, hrHPV every 5 y, or cotesting every 5 y |
| Colorectal (2021) | 45–49 (B) · 50–75 (A) |
| Lung: yearly low-dose CT (B, 2021) | 50–80, ≥20 pack-years, smoking now or quit within 15 years |
| Hypertension (A, 2021) | Adults 18+ |
| Statin (B, 2022) | 40–75, ≥1 risk factor, 10-year CVD risk ≥10% |
| Prediabetes / type 2 diabetes (B, 2021) | 35–70 with overweight or obesity |
| AAA: one-time ultrasound (B, 2019) | Men 65–75 who have ever smoked |
| HIV (A) | Ages 15–65 and all pregnant persons |
| Hepatitis C (B, 2020) | Adults 18–79 |
| Osteoporosis (B, 2025) | Women 65+; postmenopausal women under 65 at increased risk |
| PSA (2018) | 55–69: individual decision (C) · 70+: don't screen (D) |
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