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When should I get my colon checked?

Regular screening, beginning at age 45, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer and finding it early. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force) recommends that adults age 45 to 75 be screened for colorectal cancer. The Task Force recommends that adults age 76 to 85 talk to their doctor about screening.

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Screening tests can find precancerous polyps, so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best.

What Is Colorectal Cancer Screening?

A screening test is used to look for a disease when a person doesn’t have symptoms. (When a person has symptoms, diagnostic tests are used to find out the cause of the symptoms.) Colorectal cancer almost always develops from precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. Screening tests can find precancerous polyps, so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best.

Screening Recommendations

Regular screening, beginning at age 45, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer and finding it early. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force) recommendsexternal icon that adults age 45 to 75 be screened for colorectal cancer. The Task Force recommends that adults age 76 to 85 talk to their doctor about screening. The Task Force recommends several colorectal cancer screening strategies, including stool tests, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Learn about these screening tests.

When Should I Begin to Get Screened?

Most people should begin screening for colorectal cancer soon after turning 45, then continue getting screened at regular intervals. However, you may need to be tested earlier than 45, or more often than other people, if you have— If you think you are at increased risk for colorectal cancer, speak with your doctor about—

When to begin screening.

Which test is right for you.

How often to get tested.

Insurance and Medicare Coverage

Colorectal cancer screening tests may be covered by your health insurance policy without a deductible or co-pay. For more information about Medicare coverage, visit www.medicare.govexternal icon or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1 (877) 486-2048. Check with your insurance plan to find out what benefits are covered for colorectal cancer screening.

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What age should you get a pelvic exam?

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends girls have their first gynecologic visit between ages 13 and 15. Why is that? Naturally, a girl should see us at any age if she has medical issues or questions.

Alla Vash-Margita, MD, specializes in pediatric and adolescent gynecology.

Most parents are well-versed in schedules for their kids. They know to schedule an annual physical—or else the school nurse will call, or their child can’t join the soccer team. They know when their kids need to start dental checks, and inevitably, when to see an orthodontist. But when it comes to teenaged girls, many parents may not realize a first gynecologist visit should be scheduled between ages 13 and 15. “Gynecologic care for girls falls into what I call a gap,” says Alla Vash-Margita, MD, chief of Yale Medicine Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology (PAG). “And that’s where we come in.” PAG, a new clinical service within Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, focuses on providing care for young women from birth to age 21. In addition to routine preventive care, PAG physicians treat problems ranging from infections to heavy menstrual cycles to disorders of sexual development. We sat down with Dr. Vash-Margita, one of Connecticut's only gynecologists with this highly specialized training, to learn why young girls may benefit from early gynecologic care and to find out what drew her to this field.

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