CHECKLIST FOR BREAST CANCER (for ALL)

• Monthly breast self examination - BSE - (Preferably after periods)
• Annual Examination - By a Doctor/Gynaecologist
• Regular Mammography - After 40, every 1-2 years is recommended

HIGHER RISK OF BREAST CANCER EXISTS IF

• A family history of breast cancer
• You have never had children or
• Your first child was born after 30

CHECKLIST FOR CANCER OF UTERUS, CERVIX AND OVARIES

• Regular pelvic examination (clinical and ultrasonography) after 40 years (every 1- 3 years, as recommended).
  
  
• Regular cervical Pap smear test, if you are sexually active. (Annually for first 3 years, then every 2-3 years. More frequently if proven infection with herpes or genital wart virus.)
  
  
• Prompt, thorough gynaecological investigations including hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy if abnormal or unusual bleeding after the age of 40, bleeding any time after the menopause or family history and cancer of the uterus and/or cancer of the ovary.
  
  

HIGHER RISK OF CANCER OF THE CERVIX EXISTS IF

• Early age at first intercourse
• Multiple sexual partners
• Genital herpes or viral wart infection and smoking

HIGHER RISK OF ENDOMETRIAL CANCER EXISTS IF

• Any abnormal uterine bleeding after 40 years (more)
• Any bleeding or spotting after 1 year of menopause (more)
• Infertility with failure of ovulation, obesity (more)
• Estrogen therapy given long term alone without added progestogens. (more)
  
  

HIGHER RISK FOR OVARIAN CANCER EXISTS IF

• Family history of ovarian cancer
• Never had children

CHECKLIST FOR COLON AND RECTUM CANCER

• Annual rectal examination, after 40 years
• Annual stool test for presence for blood, after 40 years.
• Proctoscopic examination regularly after 40 years as recommended.

HIGHER RISK FOR COLO-RECTAL CANCER EXISTS IF

• There is a personal or family history of similar cancer
• Polyps in colon or rectum and ulcerative colitis