Shannon Medical Center | Health Beat | Summer 2020

Summer 2020 3 Recommended screenings can spot health problems early, when they’re often easier to treat. Talk to your primary care provider about what screenings you need. If you don’t have a provider, we can help. Call 325-481-2343 to make an appointment. For women BREAST CANCER. Have mammograms regularly, starting at age 45. Talk to your provider about what’s best for you based on your risk and screening history. CERVICAL CANCER. Get Pap tests starting at age 21. Talk to your provider about how often you should be screened. OSTEOPOROSIS. Get bone density tests beginning at age 65. Ask your provider about earlier screenings if you are younger than 65 but have other risk factors, such as a family history of the disease. For men PROSTATE CANCER. Discuss your risk of prostate cancer, as well as the risks or benefits of testing, with your provider. Have the conversation at age 45 if you’re African American or if your fa- ther or brother had prostate cancer before age 65. Otherwise, have the conversation at 50. ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM. Ask about getting tested once if you are age 65 to 75 and have ever smoked. For men and women BLOOD PRESSURE. Get it checked at least every two years, starting at age 20. CHOLESTEROL. Get screened every four to six years, starting at age 20. Ask your pro- vider if you should be screened more often. DIABETES. Get tested if you’re 45 or older. If you’re overweight and have any other diabe- tes risk factors, get tested regardless of age. COLORECTAL CANCER. Start testing at age 45—earlier if you have certain risk factors. Talk to your doctor about which test is right for you. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFEC- TIONS (STIS). Ask your provider if you should be tested for any STIs, including HIV. LUNG CANCER. Ask your provider if screening is right for you if you’re at least 55 years old, have a 30-pack-year smoking history, are a current smoker or have quit within the last 15 years. MEDICAL TESTS that could save YOUR LIFE I t’s not always easy to accomplish everything on our to-do lists, but some tasks should be priorities. Among these are recommended medical screenings. That’s because these tests can spot health problems early, when they’re often easier to treat. In fact, screenings could even help save your life. Talk to your primary care provider about screenings. He or she will help you decide which you should have and when and how often you should have them. These general recommendations from the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society and other health organizations can help you know what you might need. Prevention