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My Health
Jasmine is lucky to still have her mom, Tina, in her
life. Jasmine read that as we get older, our chances
of getting breast cancer increase. So she encouraged
her mom to ask her doctor about cancer screenings.
The doctor gave Tina a quick Pap test to screen
for cervical cancer and sent her for a mammogram
(a breast X-ray). The X-ray showed a small lump.
Tina got treatment, and now she and Jasmine are
spreading the word about preventing breast cancer.
Here are three important steps every woman
can take:
•
Learn about your risks for cancer.
•
Learn how to prevent breast and cervical cancer.
•
Get regular screenings.
Cancer risks
Many things can increase your chances of getting
breast cancer. They’re called risk factors. Some
things you can change. Others you can’t.
Having these risks doesn’t mean you’ll get breast
cancer. And some women get breast cancer even
without any risk factors.
What can you do?
Knowing your risk factors can help you prevent
breast and cervical cancer. Another way is to get
regular screenings. Talk to your doctor about how
often you need screenings. Your doctor might
suggest a mammogram or a Pap test.
On your own, you can:
•
Check your breasts each month for changes,
lumps, scaly areas, tenderness, swelling or
nipple discharge.
•
Control your weight.
•
Get regular exercise.
•
Limit your alcohol to one drink a day.
Source: Office on Women’s Health website: Breast cancer risk factors
and prevention (November 7, 2010): womenshealth.gov/breast-cancer/
risk-factors-prevention/index.html. (Accessed June 12, 2014.)
Stay healthy
and cancer-free
New members:
get an initial health exam
Your first exam with the doctor is called an initial
health exam. It’s very important. You and your child
should each get it right away when you enroll. Why?
It helps the doctor:
•
•
Learn about you and your health before you
get sick.
•
•
Look at past or ongoing health issues.
•
•
Go over the drugs you’re taking to make sure
they’re working.
•
•
Tell you what checkups, shots or tests you need.
•
•
Study your family’s medical history.
Call your doctor for an exam today! If you need help
figuring out how to make that first health exam
appointment, call us at
1-800-407-4627
. If you
have hearing or speech loss, call the TTY line
at
1-888-757-6034
.
MENSTRUATION
Starting your period before age 12
Starting menopause after age 55
MOTHERHOOD
Having children after age 35 or never
having children
Not breastfeeding your babies
HORMONES
Long-term use of hormone replacement therapy
Using birth control pills for five years or more
LIFESTYLE
Not getting regular exercise
Being overweight
Drinking alcohol
FAMILY HISTORY
Relatives with breast, ovarian or cervical cancer
OTHER RISK FACTORS
Getting older
Having had breast cancer in the past
Radiation treatment to the chest area
Put a check mark by the cancer risk factors you
think could affect you:
