Reproductive Health
By: Chloe Stripling
Mammograms
Who is it for? - Women.
At what age should one start getting these exams? - 50 is the best age to start.
How often should one get these exams? - Women between the ages of 50-74 should get a mammogram at least every 2 years.
What causes the disease this exam checks for? - Breast cancer doesn't really have a cause, it's more of a genetics thing.
Can one prevent this disease? If so, how? - Breast cancer can not be prevented.
Pap Smears
Who is it for? - Women.
At what age should one start getting these exams? - 21 unless your doctor recommends earlier.
How often should one get these exams? - Around every 3 years.
What causes the disease this exam checks for? - It can check for weird cells that might turn into cancer if they aren't taken care of. It can also check for infections, which can be caused by things like not keeping that area clean, not letting it breath, and not staying healthy.
Can one prevent this disease? If so, how? The infections can be prevented by keeping that area clean and staying healthy. The cancers can be prevented by getting regular checkups, and if your doctor notices any weird cells, getting them taken care of as soon as possible.
Testicular Exams
Who is it for? - Men.
At what age should one start getting these exams? - Any time in their teenage years.
How often should one get these exams? - At least once a month.
What causes the disease this exam checks for? - There really isn't any cause.
Can one prevent this disease? If so, how? - You can't prevent it, but if caught early enough it is curable.
Prostate Exams
Who is it for? - Men
At what age should one start getting these exams? - The recommended age is 40, if the man has a genetic history of prostate cancer.
How often should one get these exams? - Every 4 years.
What causes the disease this exam checks for? - There is no known cause of prostate cancer, genetics are the main reason.
Can one prevent this disease? If so, how? - You can't prevent prostate cancer.