Women:Stay Healthy at Any Age

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality which is part of the US Department of Health and Human Service has published some guidelines for women to stay healthy.  The AHRQ recommends such things as not smoking, limiting alcohol intake and eating a healthy diet.  Additionally, the AHRQ recommends that women be screened for breast cancer every one to two years starting at age 40.  The AHRQ also recommends that women who have ever been sexually active and are between the ages of 21 and 65 have a pap smear every one to three years to check for cervical cancer.  The AHRQ recommends that women undergo screening for colon cancer beginning at age 50.  Finally, the AHRQ recommends that at age 65 women should have a bone density test to screen for osteoporosis.

If you click here you can get a check list that will enable you to keep track of the various screening test you have undergone.  This check list can help you keep current with your screening tests.

You should ask your doctor to order the screening tests recommended by the AHRQ, as the earlier cancer is diagnosed the better the outcome.  If however, you have been diagnosed with cancer and you believe that your doctor did not order the proper screening tests or the tests were not properly read or followed up on, you may have a medical malpractice case against the doctor.  At Berger & Lagnese our lawyers have a great deal of experience with medical malpractice cases involving a failure to timely diagnose and treat cancer.  So if you have questions please contact us.