For the general population (those who have not been designated to be at a heightened risk of colon cancer), screening is recommended to commence at the age of 50. The options to consider are a stool test (recommended once every one to two years), a colonoscopy (a more invasive test that is recommended every 10 years), or a sigmoidoscopy or CT colonography (both of which are recommended every five years. The one you choose for your own personal screening will depend upon your preference. Both blood and/or DNA can be tested for in your stool, and a positive test indicates suspicion that you may have colon cancer. It does not indicate that you have colon cancer - it simply means that you are at a heightened risk and should undergo more extensive medical evaluation. The advantage of stool testing is that it is an easy and non-invasive test. You can collect the stool sample(s) at home (depending upon how many are requested by your doctor) and simply send them into the lab for formal evaluation. A stool test that is positive for blood and/or for DNA indicating possible colon cancer requires further follow-up exams. It does not mean that you have cancer, but it indicates the need for further testing. A stool test that is negative means that you are at a very low risk of having colon cancer and do not need any further investigations at this time. Stool testing is recommended once every one to two years, if this is your chosen form of screening for colon cancer. A colonoscopy is an alternative method of screening for colon cancer; it is much more invasive than a simple stool test, but also more accurate. During a colonoscopy, a small tube is inserted through your rectum and passed all the way through your large intestine. There is a camera and a light at the end of the tube, allowing your doctor to see whether or not there are any lesions in your colon that are suspicious of being possible colon cancer. You normally need to take medications to induce diarrhea prior to the procedure in order to clear out any stool from your colon. You also normally receive light sedation for the duration of the exam, and you will not be able to return to work for the remainder of the day following the procedure. The advantage of a colonoscopy is that it is very effective at picking up any suspicious lesions (more effective than a stool test). This is why you only need one once every 10 years, as opposed to once every one to two years for the stool test. The disadvantage of a colonoscopy is that it is a more complex and invasive procedure. Most people opt for either the stool testing or the colonoscopy as a means to screen for colon cancer. However, some less common methods that are also available include a sigmoidoscopy (where a tube is inserted through your rectum, but it is a shorter tube that only examines part of your colon), or a "CT colonography," which is where you receive a CT scan looking at your colon. The disadvantage to a sigmoidoscopy is that it does not look at your whole colon. (The advantage is that it is less invasive than a full colonoscopy.) The disadvantage of a "CT colonography" is that, if a suspicious lesion is noted, you will need to subsequently undergo a colonoscopy so that your doctor can see it first-hand. (The advantage is that the procedure is not invasive.) Both of these screening tests, if you opt for them, are recommended every five years. A fecal occult blood test is the most common method that doctors use to screen for blood in the stool. If you have blood in your stool and you are losing weight or anemic, then you may need a colonoscopy.
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One-sentence summary -- Begin screening at the age of 50. Opt for a stool test. Get a colonoscopy. Consider other modes of screening.

Different straps will require different amounts of fabric, so before buying your fabric you will want to figure out what kind of straps you want to sew on. The most common strap type is a straight back strap, where the straps are attached to the front and go straight over your shoulders, where they attach to the back of your dress. Another strap type is a cross back strap, where the straps start in the front on one side and then cross in the back and are attached to the other side of the dress in the back. The third basic type of strap is the halter strap, which attach at the front of your dress, go up your shoulders and tie behind your neck. Once you decide what straps you want, you will need to put on your dress to get accurate measurements for your straps. You also need a flexible measuring tape to take the measurements for your straps. The measuring tape will mimic the straps of your dress so you can see how much fabric you will need. Wearing your dress, pin one end of the measuring tape where you would want your strap to start in the front of your dress. Both straps will be the same length, so it doesn't matter which side you are measuring from. Make sure you are using the beginning of the measuring tape, the end of the tape that starts at zero. This will make measuring a lot easier. With the end of the measuring tape pinned in the front, put the other end of the tape over your shoulder. Reach back with your arm and pin or hold the measuring tape to where you would want the strap to attach to the back. If you chose a straight backstrap, the measuring tape should be swung over the same shoulder. If you chose a cross back strap, the measuring tape should go over your shoulder and go diagonally across your back. If you chose a halter neck, the measuring tape should go up your front to the back of your neck. Go to a mirror, still with the measuring tape pinned in the back or held in place with your hand. With your back to the mirror, look over your shoulder. You should be able to see where the measuring tape in the back is being held in place. Take note of the number in inches where the strap should end. You will want to make the length of fabric you purchase a little more than the actual measurement of the measuring tape. This gives you some leeway when you are making the straps. For straight back and crossback straps, add four inches to the number. For instance, if your strap was 16 inches (40.6cm), add four inches onto this so the final measurement is 20 inches. For halter straps, add about 12 inches (30cm) on to this number. You will need enough fabric to be able to make a tie in the back, so you will need more excess fabric.
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One-sentence summary -- Decide what kind of straps you want. Put on your dress. Pin one end of the measuring tape at the neckline of your dress. Swing the measuring tape over your shoulder. Note the measurement. Add to this number.

Your pumps may be malfunctioning if you can't find a problem with your jets. No water coming out of the jets is one sign of problematic pumps. Other signs are if water is leaking out of the pump shaft or if the water isn't hot. It will cost about $200 to $500 USD to fix pumps. It is best to call in a professional to fix your pumps. Some spas have tabs that hold the jets into place. If you find a jet floating in the water, check to see if any of the tabs have popped off. You may just need to screw the jet in tighter if you don't see a broken tab. If the tab is broken, it is best to replace the jet. You can try to glue it back with a strong adhesive, like super glue, if necessary, though. A leak may come from a crack in the jet housing. If this is the case, you can add silicone to the outer edge of the housing to fix the leak. The leak may stem from the jet gasket or glue joint, which is located behind the jet, if there isn't a crack in the jet housing. Call in a professional if you can't fix the broken pumps. Clogging can prevent your jets from functioning properly. Remove your jets once or twice a year. Soak them overnight in a solution of white vinegar and water. Then, dry them off and re-install them. You can also purchase a commercial cleaner for the jets.
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One-sentence summary --
Check the pumps if the jets aren't working properly. Look for a broken tab if a jet pops off. Check the jet housing to detect a leak. Clean your jets once or twice a year to prevent clogging.