Women: Stay Healthy with Regular Cancer Tests
For many women, juggling work, home, and family responsibilities means they have little time left
to take care of themselves. However, keeping up-to-date on cancer screening tests could save lives.
Talk with your doctor or nurse about the following screening guidelines, and encourage the women you
love to do so, too.
Breast: Women 40 and older should get a mammogram and a breast exam by a doctor or nurse every year.
Women in their 20s and 30s should have a breast exam about every 3 years. Women who are at higher risk
of breast cancer because of family history or other factors should talk to their doctor about when to
start screening and what other tests they may need.
Cervix: Testing for cervical cancer should begin 3 years after a woman begins having sex, but no later
than age 21. Women should have a Pap test every year or a liquid-based Pap test every 2 years.
Colon: Testing can find precancerous polyps that can be removed — catching colon cancer before it starts.
Women should be tested for colon cancer beginning at age 50, or earlier if they have a family history of the
disease or certain other risk factors. Talk to your doctor about your history and ask which tests are right
for you.
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