Now that we have the Pap smear test, cervical changes can be quickly identified and treated before they become cancer. If you are over the age of 18 or are sexually active then you should have a Pap test and gynecological exam every year. Back to Top Colorectal Cancer Colorectal cancer affects the lower digestive tract. The American Cancer Society projects that nearly 65,000 women will be diagnosed with this cancer this year, and approximately 28,000 will die of the disease. Many advances in the early detection and treatment of this cancer have made it very treatable if caught early.
Most colorectal cancers begin as polyps which later develop into cancer.
The polyps can be detected and removed before cancer develop. If you are age 50 or older, it is recommended that you have a fecal occult blood test every year and flexible sigmoidoscopy plus digital rectal exam every five years, or colonoscopy plus digital rectal exam every ten years, or double-contrast barium enema plus digital rectal exam every five to ten years. According to the American Cancer Society, there are about 35,000 cases of cancer of the body of the uterus every year, and approximately 6,000 women die from this disease annually. It is most often found in women over age 50. Other risk factors are early onset of menstrual periods, late menopause, history of infertility, never having children, obesity, diabetes, gallbladder disease, and high blood pressure.