National Cancer Prevention Month brings awareness to lower the risk of getting certain cancers. However, procrastinating and putting off certain medical exams is not a clever idea. Cancer is still a hard topic to discuss especially among younger women who do not know that cancer is a genetic disease. It is something that young women do not think about when they are exposed to medical examinations that are new to them. Although pap smears can be an uncomfortable exam for a woman who is twenty-one years old, it is important to get this medical exam done.
Pap smear tests are
done to find precancerous or cancerous cells in the cervix of a woman. Whether
a woman is sexually active or not at twenty-one, a pap smear is necessary for
preventing cancer and infections that may damage the reproductive system. Another
exam that most women do not like to do are mammograms. Mammograms are x-rays to
find tumors or lumps in the breasts for women and for men. Women who are
twenty-one years old do not need a mammogram although it is possible to have
one at that age.
Usually at the age of forty
a mammogram is done which can be uncomfortable and all you will feel is a
little bit of pressure. Ultrasounds can also be done for the breasts and for
the genitals. Men can also get tested for testicular cancer with an ultrasound
test. At fifteen years old a young man can do a self-exam after a warm shower.
Young women can also do a self-exam on the breasts to look for any lumps, skin lesions,
pimples, and other things that can be bothersome.
Additionally, if you
are forty-five years old make sure you get tested for colon cancer. Always
consult with your medical provider when you can get tested for cancer and do not be embarrassed to ask questions.
Also, do not be embarrassed to show your breasts and genitals for medical
tests. If you know that cancer and other diseases are in your family’s medical history, do not hesitate
to get tested. During the month of February, you can promote cancer prevention
on your social media, get tested, and wear cancer awareness t-shirts.
Ways to Prevent Cancer-Prevent Cancer Foundation:
Ways to Prevent Cancer - Prevent Cancer Foundation
American Cancer Society:
* Free background, pink ribbon, and fonts from PiZap
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