Preventive Care
By: Abby Bray
Mammograms
What is a Mammogram?
~ Is an x-ray picture of the breast, its typically used to check women who may have signs of breast cancer.
Who should be getting these exams?
~ For a Mammogram exam looking for breast cancer is usually only used on women but can be used on men as well.
~ For most women who are not at a high risk of breast cancer, can start their regular mammograms at age 50.
How often should someone get each of these exams?
~ Most repeat the test every 2 years
What are the causes of these diseases?
~ No one knows the exact cause of breast cancer, but we do know breast cancer is always caused by damage to a cells DNA.
How can you prevent it?
~ There is no sure way to prevent breast cancer but you can lower the risk by keeping control over your body weight, physical activity, and diet.
Citations
"Can breast cancer be prevented?"
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/overviewguide/breast-cancer-overview-prevention"Causes of breast cancer"
http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/causes-of-breast-cancer
"American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Early Detection of Cancer"
Pap Smear
~ Is a medical test used to help doctors see if there are any problems with a girls cervix
Who should get a Pap Smear?
~ Girls/ Women are the ones who use this medical exam
Starting at what age should someone begin this exam?
~ Once a girl turns 21, she should start getting regular Pap Smear exams to monitor her health.
How often should someone get each of these exams?
~ Women with normal results should have the exam every 3 years, but some women might need to get tested more often.
What is the cause of this disease?
~ Cases of inflammation in the cervix are usually caused by infections that are passed during sexual activity.
How can you prevent it?
~ Some ways you can lower your risk is have your partner always use condoms, don't have sex with a partner who has genital sores, or if you get treatment for sexually transmitted disease ask your doctor if your partner should be treated too.
Citations
"Pap Smears"
http://kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/girls/pap-smears.html"Pap Smear (cont.)"
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/pap_smear/page5_em.htm
"Cervicitis"
Testicular Exams
~ A testicular self-examination is a way for guys to check their testicles to make sure there aren't any unusual lumps or bumps.
Who should be getting these exams?
~ This exam is for guys
Starting at what age should someone begin this exam?
~ Once a guy is around his teen years
How often should someone do this exam?
~ Try to do a TSE every month to become familiar with the shape and size of testicles, making it easier to tell if something is different.
What is the cause of this disease?
~ Testicular cancer occurs when healthy cells in a testicle become altered.
How can you prevent it?
~ There's no way to prevent testicular cancer, but its recommended to do regular testicle self-examinations to identify the cancer at its earliest stage.
Citations
"Testicular-self examination"
http://kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/guys/tse.html"Testicular Cancer Prevention"
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/testicular-cancer/basics/prevention/con-20043068
"Testicular Cancer Causes"
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/testicular-cancer/basics/causes/con-20043068
Prostate Exams
~ It's a test to check the postulate to make sure you don't have postulate cancer.
Who should be getting these exams?
~ This exam is typically for men.
Starting at what age should someone begin this exam?
~ Typically they recommend PSA screening for men between the ages of 40 and 75.
How often should they get this exam?
~ It's encouraged to get a prostate exam once every year.
What is the cause of this diseases?
~ It's caused by changes in the DNA of a prostate cell.
Can/How (can) you prevent it?
~ You may reduce your risk by making healthy choices, by excising and eating a healthy diet.
Citations
"Prostate cancer screening: Should you get a PSA test?"
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/in-depth/prostate-cancer/art-20048087"Do we know what causes prostate cancer?"
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostatecancer/detailedguide/prostate-cancer-what-causes
"Prostate cancer prevention: Ways to reduce your risk."http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/in-depth/prostate-cancer-prevention/art-20045641