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Many individuals put their own health aside as they care for others and try to keep up with their busy lives. National Women’s Health Week serves as a reminder for women—and everyone—to make their health a priority.
These steps can help you improve your health, lower your risk of developing cancer, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Avoid tobacco.
- Be physically active.
- Eat healthy.
- Get the HPV vaccine.
- Protect your skin.
- Test for radon.
- Take care of your mental health.
- Get enough sleep.
- Stay up to date on cancer screenings.
Also, make sure to have an annual well-women visit with your primary care doctor. Talk with the doctor about these guidelines for cancer screenings for women.
- Cervical Cancer Screening
- Ages 21–29: Pap test every three years
- Ages 30–65: Pap test and human papillomavirus (HPV) test every five years OR Pap test every three years
- Age 65+: Consult your physician.
- Colon Cancer Screening
- Age 45: Get a colonoscopy every 10 years OR sigmoidoscopy every five years OR fecal occult blood test every year.
- If you have certain risk factors, talk with your doctor about being screened early.
- Breast Cancer Screening
- Ages 20–39: Clinical breast exam every one to three years
- Ages 40+: Clinical Breast exam every year; mammogram every year
Always talk with your doctor about your family history of medical conditions. This will help your doctor decide whether you need other screenings or lifestyle changes.
Health educators in Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Cancer Learning Center are happy to talk with you about cancer prevention, cancer screenings, or any other cancer-related topics. They are available through live chat, text, phone (888-424-2100) or you can email cancerinfo@hci.utah.edu.
For more information about any cancer-related topic, visit our Cancer Learning Center.