Under Age 40:
Breast:
Exam by a health care professional every three
years, age 20 and over and
self-exam every month, age 20 and over.
Uterus:
Pelvic exam every one to three years with
Pap test,
age 18 and over. All women who are, or have been sexually active, or have
reached age 18, should have an annual Pap test and pelvic examination.
After three or more consecutive satisfactory examinations with normal
findings, the Pap test may be performed less frequently at the discretion
of your doctor. \
¢
Pap tests
and pelvic exams to screen for cervical cancer and other women's
cancers are available to all women. Click
here for information about programs that
provide free or reduced-cost cancer screenings for uninsured and/or
low-income women.
¢ Young women and girls should receive the
human papillomavirus vacccine. HPV is the most common cause of cervical
cancer. The vaccine, Gardasil, is approved for use in girls and women 9-26
years of age and is most effective when given before the onset of sexual
activity. The vaccine is administered as three injections over a six-month
period and contains no live virus. Since the vaccine is new, the FDA is
still researching how long it protects against HPV and whether a booster
is needed after a few years.
The Missouri Foundation for Health recently committed $11 million
to purchase enough HPV vaccine so that every uninsured and underinsured
Missouri girl and woman ages 9-26 can receive the vaccine for free. Visit
www.mohpv.org for more information.
40 and Over:
A cancer-related checkup every year
should include the procedures listed below plus health counseling and
examinations for cancers of the thyroid, testicles, mouth, ovaries, skin,
and lymph nodes. Some people are at higher risk for certain cancers and may
need to have tests more frequently.
Breast: Exam by a health care
professional every year, self-exam every month,
screening mammogram
(breast X-ray) yearly.
Uterus: Pelvic exam every
year with Pap test. After three or more consecutive satisfactory
examinations with normal findings, the Pap test may be performed less
frequently at the discretion of the doctor. Endometrial tissue sample at
menopause, if at high risk.