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Period: 18 to 100
Monthly Breast Self-Examination
All women should begin exmaining their own breasts monthly-- they should know how their breasts look and feel normally and if anything feels incorrect, a doctor should be informed immediately. -
Period: 18 to 100
Skin Cancer Self-Examination
An individual should examine their skin for any abnormal signs of growth or moles. However, skin cancer screening should not be performed regularly unless a person has a personal or family history with melanoma, abnormal moles, or lesions. -
Period: 21 to 29
PAP Smear (every 3 years)
Beginning at age 21, women should have a pap smear done every 3 years until they are 29. This consists of cells being scraped from the opening of the cervix. They are then examined under a microscope to detect any signs of cancer. -
Period: 30 to 65
PAP Smear & HPV Testing (every 5 years)
Women between the ages of 30 and 65 should have an HPV test performed in addition to a pap smear every 5 years. In order to test for HPV, a sample of tissue is taken from the opening of the cervix and then exmanined under a microscope. -
Period: 45 to 54
Annual Mammogram
The annual mammogram is an x-ray that will screen for breast cancer. When getting a mammogram, there will be two plates that compress the breasts to spread the tissue apart; this makes it easier for a lower strength x-ray to go through the breast tissue more easily. -
Period: 50 to 100
Colonoscopy (once every decade)
A colonoscopy will allow a doctor to detect any signs of colon cancer or polyps in a patient. This procedure inserts a four foot long tube with an attached camera into the large intestine. -
Period: 50 to 100
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy (every 5 years) *colonoscopy alternative*
A flexible sigmoidoscopy serves as an alternative to a colonoscopy. This procedure consists of a flexible sigmoidscope being inserted through the anus and into the colon. The long, narrow tube will pump air into the colon and consists of a tiny camera on the end that is used to detect any signs of cancer or polyps. -
Period: 50 to 100
Double contrast barium enema (every 5 years) *colonoscopy alternative*
This prodcedure consists of ingesting a silver-white barium contrast. this contrast allows for signs of cancer to be detected through an x-ray of the colon. This procedure will reveal a clear outline of the colon. -
Period: 50 to 100
Endometrial Biopsy
The endometrial biopsy will test for uterine cancer. However, not every women will need this performed. At the time of menopause, a woman should consult with her doctor to evaluate the risk of developing cervical cancer depending on her history. If the doctor views her as a risk, she will have to have the biopsy done annually. This will take a sample of cells from the uterine wall and examine them for any signs of cancer. -
Period: 50 to 100
CT Colonography (every 5 years) *colonoscopy alternative*
A CT Colonography allows a doctor to perform a virtual colonography by means of x-ray technology. This can effectively detect cancerous growth or polyps. In order to successfully complete this, air will inflate the colon while the x-ray images are taken. -
Period: 55 to 100
Biennial Mammogram
After a woman turns 55, she should receive a mammogram every two years rather than once a year. Breast cancer screening should be performed at that frequency as long as a woman is healthy and maintains a life expectancy of ten years.