Common Cancer Screenings Middle-Aged Women Should Be Getting

Cancer kills nearly 10 million individuals every year. It is a disease that can be devastating if not caught early. In order to make sure you and your loved ones stay healthy, get regularly screened for the most common forms of cancer. 

Breast Cancer Screenings

All women, once they have reached puberty, should conduct regular breast exams on themselves to check for signs of breast cancer. However, when you reach the age of 40, it’s time to think about getting a more in-depth screening for breast cancer. At the age of 45, women should begin to get yearly mammograms. These are x-rays of the breasts, and are the most accurate test to detect any signs of breast cancer. This becomes necessary because the risk of breast cancer increases with age. Consult your doctor to see if you require any additional screenings to check for breast cancer.

Colon Cancer Screenings

45 is also the age when women should begin getting regular screenings for colon cancer. There are a few ways this can be done. For instance, you can complete a test which checks for signs of cancer in your stool, or you can get a visual test. A colonoscopy is used to detect colon cancer before it develops. This test is a bit more invasive, but gives a more accurate result. However, the type of test you get matters less than the fact that you are getting tested. Colon cancer is the third most common type of cancer, and affects hundreds of thousands of women every year. Getting tested can allow you to catch the cancer before it becomes detrimental.

Cervical Cancer Screenings

Cervical cancer screenings should actually begin at the age of 25, but they become more necessary once you reach middle age. Women between the ages of 30 and 65 should be tested for cervical cancer every few years. You can either get a pap test every three years, or you can get an HPV test every 5 years. Again, while the HPV test is the most accurate, it’s more important that you’re getting any test. Check with your insurance to see which tests are covered, and make sure you’re getting in every few years to check for this type of cancer.

Unfortunately, cancer is something women need to worry about more and more as they grow older. This disease is horrible, and can spread quickly. The best way to prevent its detrimental effects is to get regularly screened and catch any symptoms before they spread. 

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