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Taking proper care of ourselves during our adult and middle-age years can have a
tremendous impact on the quality of our senior years.
LCFP will be here when you've got a sinus infection, bronchitis or one of the other
common conditions for which you normally expect us to be available to you.
But, what about the prevention of illness and the promotion of wellness? What
health screenings should you have? How often? At what age? Have you had all of
your immunizations? Do you need to make any lifestyle changes (lose weight,
exercise, quit smoking, modify high-risk sexual behavior)?
Preventive approaches have virtually eliminated polio, measles, mumps, rubella
and chicken pox. The incidence of invasive cervical cancer has decreased dramatically
since the introduction of Pap smear testing. The length and quality of life has been
vastly improved through monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Smart adult decisions, regular check ups and screenings can help improve your
adult life, as well as your senior years.
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Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines
Research findings under-score the need to increase awareness and promote
the use of colorectal cancer screening examinations at regular intervals.
Several scientific organizations recommend regular screening for all adults aged
50 or older. Recommended screening tests and intervals are:
- A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) every year
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
- Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years
- Colonoscopy every 10 years
Persons at higher risk should begin screening at a younger age and may need
to be tested more frequently.
These guidelines emphasize the key health benefit of colorectal cancer
screening-finding and removing precancerous polyps, which either prevents the
development of cancer or detects the disease at an early, more treatable stage.
Source: CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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