• Perform self breast exams . Best done a few days after your period ends. Breasts are softer and less lumpy. If you are menopausal or had a hysterectomy, just choose a date, i.e., the first of every month.
• Examine your skin thoroughly each month too. There is a growing concern for skin cancer. Please report any new or changing moles or lesions on your skin.
• Exercise at least 3 times a week. Preferably weight bearing exercises, that cause your heart to beat faster and make you sweat. Walking and/or swimming are also very good forms of exercise. Strengthening exercises (weights) are also important for the upper body.
• Drink 2-3 liters of fluid a day, preferably water. (64 – 96 oz)
• Avoid fatty/fried food as much as possible and increase your fiber intake, e.g. fresh fruit and vegetables, bran, whole wheat, unsweetened breakfast cereals.
• Take a multivitamin each day that contains vitamin D and folic acid.
• Ensure that your calcium intake, either in dairy produce or supplements, is in the range of:

In addition,

• If you are 40 years old or over at the time of your annual, we will also perform a rectal exam, and will check the stool for occult blood. This is a screen for colorectal cancer.
• We will also recommend a baseline bone density exam, which may be repeated every 4-5 years if your initial bone density is normal. This can be performed at our Woodbridge office.
• A referral for a mammogram will be provided and should be repeated yearly after the age of 40.
• If you are 50 years old or over at the time of your annual, we will recommend that you have a colonoscopy.

Please remember that most lab test results will be received in our office approximately one week after they were drawn and cytology results (Pap smears) may take up to 6 weeks. If you haven’t heard anything from us either by letter or phone in the time frame mentioned above, please call. Once again, thank you for choosing our center. We look forward to seeing you at your next appointment.