Prevention Helps You
Lead A Healthy Life
Clinical Breast Exam
A clinical breast exam is a physical examination of your breasts and armpits. Your doctor looks for color changes, skin irregularities, changes in your nipples and feels your breasts and armpits for lumps and enlarged lymph nodes to detect suspicious changes to exclude breast cancer.
How Often?
A clinical breast examination in conjunction with screening mammography is recommended every one to two years, beginning at age 40.
Mammogram
A mammogram is performed to detect breast lumps or suspicious changes or calcifications when they’re too small to be detected by physical examination. These small lumps can be the first finding of early-stage breast cancer.
How Often?
A screening mammogram is recommended every one to two years after age 40, depending on your risk. After age 50, your doctor may recommend annual mammograms.
Pap Test
A Pap test detects cancer and changes of your cervix. You’re at increased risk for cancer if you have:
- multiple sex partners
- a history of abnormal cells in your cervix
- a history of vaginal or vulvar cancer.
How Often?
You need a Pap test if you are younger than 21 and have been sexually active for three years, or if you are 21 or older. You should have a Pap test at least once every three years.
