Take care of yourself with preventive care screenings

Stay healthy this year by keeping up with important preventive care screenings. They can help find health conditions early, before they become more costly and hard to treat. Some can help save your life. Here are just a few to remember:

* Glaucoma screening
Glaucoma is a buildup of pressure in your eyes. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, more than 3 million Americans have it. Yet only half know. So see your eye doctor. Get checked for glaucoma at least every 2 years.
* Colon cancer screening
If you’re age 50 and over, make sure you get a colorectal cancer screening. It can help find polyps. Polyps are growths that can form inside the colon lining. Some polyps can turn into cancer. So removing them early is one of the best ways to help prevent colon cancer.
* Breast cancer screening
Women age 40 and over should have a mammogram every one to two years. A mammogram can help find breast cancer when it’s too small to be felt.
* Cervical cancer screening
Women age 21 and over should have a cervical cancer screening. It’s also called a Pap test. It helps find changes in the cervix that may lead to cancer. Cervical cancer may often be prevented if changes are found and treated early.

Your doctor may tell you to get some cancer screenings sooner. Talk to your doctor about your personal and family health history. And trust your instincts. Let your doctor know if something just isn’t right.

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