Preventative Health
By: Lindsey Collins
Preventative Health
Preventative Health is to protect and maintain health, and to prevent diseases disability and death.
Mammograms
Mammograms is a test that is looking for breast cancer specifically in females. Women should start getting these exams around the age of 50, (unless you have a high risk of breast cancer) and continue getting them every 2 years. The main cause of breast cancer is family inheritance of the breast cancer gene. To prevent getting this type of cancer as much as you can, you should stay away from radiation, cancerous chemicals, and should get a regular mammogram to make sure everything is the way it should be.
Pap Smears
Pap Smears is an exam for women to test for cervical cancer, and also to make sure that everything is working properly. Women typically start getting these exams around the age of 21, and continue every 3 years. The main cause of getting cervical cancer is family inheritance of the gene specific for cervical cancer. The most you can do to prevent getting this type of cancer is to regularly go to get a pap smear when you are supposed to.
Testicular Exam
Testicular exams are for men, and it tests for testicular cancer. Men should get one of these exams every month starting when they are a teenager. Since this test is examining for cancer, the main cause is inheritance of that cancer gene. If you want to prevent yourself as much as possible from getting this cancer, you should get this exam every month to make sure there are no lumps that could be signs of cancerous tumors.
Prostate Exam
A prostate exam is testing for prostate cancer. Men typically start getting these exams around the age of 40-75. This is the age that prostate cancer is most common. You should continue these tests every 4 years. The main cause of prostate cancer if receiving the cancerous gene from your family's background. If you want to prevent yourself as much as possible, you should continue these tests as much as it is recommended.