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Many individuals put their own health aside as they care for others and try to keep up with their busy lives. serves as a reminder for women—and everyone—to make their health a priority.
These steps can help you improve your health, lower your risk of developing cancer, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Avoid tobacco.
- Be physically active.
- Eat healthy.
- Get the HPV vaccine.
- Protect your skin.
- Test for radon.
- Take care of your .
- .
- Stay up to date on cancer screenings.
Also, make sure to have an annual well-women visit with your primary care doctor. Talk with the doctor about these guidelines for cancer screenings for women.
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- Ages 21–29: Pap test every three years
- Ages 30–65: Pap test and human papillomavirus (HPV) test every five years OR Pap test every three years
- Age 65+: Consult your physician.
- Colon Cancer Screening
- Age 45: Get a colonoscopy every 10 years OR sigmoidoscopy every five years OR fecal occult blood test every year.
- If you have certain , talk with your doctor about being screened early.
- Breast Cancer Screening
- Ages 20–39: Clinical breast exam every one to three years
- Ages 40+: Clinical Breast exam every year; mammogram every year
Always talk with your doctor about your family history of medical conditions. This will help your doctor decide whether you need other screenings or lifestyle changes.
ÑÇÖÞ×ÔοÊÓƵ educators in Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Cancer Learning Center are happy to talk with you about cancer prevention, cancer screenings, or any other cancer-related topics. They are available through , , phone (888-424-2100) or you can email cancerinfo@hci.utah.edu.
For more information about any cancer-related topic, visit our Cancer Learning Center.