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Birth
And a child is born! -
Self Examination
Woman should self examine their breast by the age of twenty. This will allow lumps to become known and can be stopped before it is too late. In this test, a woman will feel her breasts to check for lumps and other indications of breast cancer. -
Clinical Breast Exam
A clinical breast exam should first be done at the age of 20. In a woman's 20''s and 30's this should be performed every three years, but once they are 40 it should be done every year. In this test a doctor presses their fingers around the breasts checkig for lumps or other indications of breast cancer. -
Pap Smear
The initial test should be no later than the age of 21. The test should be repeated every year. In this test, samples of the tissue in the cervix is taken to test for cervical cancer. -
Mammogram
Woman should get yearly mammograms starting by the age of 40. In this test, the breasts are scanned, and images will show is any tissue is out of the ordinary and indicates breast cancer. -
Digital Rectal Exam
During this exam, a doctor will insert a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate. The examiner can feel the size and if any abnormalities are present indicating prostate cancer. The initial test should be done at age 40, but should be continued every year after. -
Colonoscopy and Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Beginning at the age of 50, men and women need a colonoscopy and a flexible sigmoidoscopy. During these tests, a doctor will insert a long flexible tube into the rectum to view the inner lining of the rectum and the colon. A flexible sigmoidoscopy only goes 1/3 of the colong, but the colonoscopy shows the entire colon. These tests test for colorectal and colon cancer. Colonoscopy is done every 10 years and the flexible sigmoidoscopy is done every 5 years. -
Barium Enema
By the age of 50 a person should get a barium Enema, also known as a lower gastrointestinal examination. In this test, the colon is filled with a contrast material containing barium, by pourig it into a tube inserted in the anus. The barium blocks x-rays, allowing it to show up easily, and abnormalities indicating colon cancer can be seen. It should be done every 5 years. -
CT Colonography
A CT Colonography should first be done when a person is 50. In this test, a low dose of radiation is used to obtain an image of the interior of the colon. It should be performed every 5 years. -
Fecal Occult Blood Test
During this test people place samples of their stool on a card or cloth and send it into a lab to be tested out. It should be done every year after the age of 50. This test tests for colon cancer.
