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Period: to
Age
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Clinical Breast Exam
Done every three years for women in their 20's and 30's, and done yearly starting in their 40's. These are physican examinations done by physicians to check for breast cancer. -
Breast Self-Exam
Starting in their 20's, women should know the normal look and feel of their breasts. They should report any irregularity to their health care provider in case it may be breast cancer. This should be done regularly or yearly. -
Cancer-Related Check-Up
Starting at 20, there should be cancer-related check-up that include health counseling and, depending on the person's age and gender, exams for cancers of the thyroid, oral cavity, skin, lymph nodes, testes, and ovaries, as well as for some non-malignant (non-cancerous) diseases. -
Pap Test
This should be done 3 years after vaginal intercourse, but no later than the age of 21 to test for cervical cancer. This test should be done yearly, after the age of 30, the test may be done less frequent if the tests come back positive. The cervix is examined using a speculum. -
Mammograms
Done yearly starting at age 40 to check for breast cancer. Compression is used to produce an x-ray that displays the inner tissues and any lumps that may be present. -
Fecal Occult Blood Test or Fecal Immunochemical Test
Done yearly starting at age 50 to check for colorectal cancer. It detects occult blood in stool samples. -
Colonoscopy
Starting at age 50, this should be done every 10 years to check for colorectal cancer. Using a CDD camera, the doctor is able to observe the interior lining of the large intestine. -
Flexible sigmoidoscopy
Starting at 50, this is done every five years to test for colorectal cancer. This examines the rectum and the lower part of the colon using a flexible tube with a video or eyepiece. -
Prostate Specific Antigen Blood Test or Digital Rectal Exam
Men should talk to their doctor about testing beginning at age 50. If they are at high risk, the talk should begin at age 45. Men should be tested with the PSA blood test or the DRE. The PSA blood test simply measures the level of PSA's in the blood. The DRE checks for abnormalities of organs
or other structures in the pelvis and lower abdomen. -
Endometrial Biopsy
Starting at the age of menopause, women need to be informed on endometrial (uterine) cancer. Some may want to have yearly endometrial biopsies to check for uterine cancer. A sample of the uterus lining is taken and observed under a microscope.
