Three Preventative Screenings You Should Know
Buffalo Women Health
Preventative screenings, like mammograms and colonoscopy, help doctors and patients proactively monitor an individual’s changing health. Although every screening is different and nothing can guarantee 100% accuracy in every case, the preventative screenings recommended by doctors are the best technology available to find cancer and other ailments early and effectively. At Southtowns Radiology, we provide three common preventative screenings for both men and women.
1. Mammograms screen women for breast cancer typically beginning at age 40. The American Cancer Society recommends women have a baseline mammogram at age 40 or sooner if there is a family history of breast cancer. Mammograms are an annual exam and it is important for women to keep current with their yearly mammograms because breast health changes from year to year. Between visits, it’s also important for women to have a clinical breast exam with their doctor and continue to do a monthly self-breast exam at home.
2. Bone density tests are recommended by the National Osteoporosis Foundation for women or men over the age of 50. A quick and painless scan, bone densitometry screens for osteoporosis and provides an analysis of the overall bone health of an individual. Your doctor can help determine what your risk factors are for bone loss and with that information will determine how frequently you should continue screening.
3. Both men and women should have a colonoscopy beginning at age 50 to screen for colon cancer or polyps, as recommended by the Colon Cancer Foundation. This scan should be done every ten years after that. Most patients have a traditional colonoscopy but in some cases, based on the patient’s medical history, a doctor may recommend a virtual colonoscopy in a CT machine. At Southtowns Radiology, we offer CT Virtual Colonoscopy for patients with whom traditional colonoscopy is not an option.
Buffalo Women Health
It is always best to see your doctor annually and review what preventative health screenings you should be doing. The American Cancer Society website is also a great resource to learn more about recommended guidelines and stay on top of your own health. Visit them at
www.cancer.org for more information.
