Here's To Good Health In 2006!

The new year is a good time for women to focus on their health.

Dr. Mallika Marshall provides The Early Show viewers with a list of five of the most important tests women should put on their to-do list in 2006.

"Many, many women — and men — make New Year's resolutions to quit smoking or lose weight," she said, "and these are great goals for 2006. But you should also take a look at your overall health and make a resolution to get good health care, too."

Here are her suggestions:

1. Mammograms: According to the American Cancer Society, women in their 20s and 30s should have a breast exam in the doctor's office every three years; women over 40, every year. And most women over 40 should have an annual mammogram as well.
2. PAP Smear (for cervical cancer): The American Cancer Society suggests that all women should have a PAP smear within three years of having their first sexual intercourse, but no later than age 21 and every one to two years after that. At age 30, women who are at low risk, who have had three normal PAP smears in a row, can be screened every three years. Women at higher risk, such as those with multiple sexual partners, smokers, women with HIV, should continue to be screened every year.
3. Colonoscopy: Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States, so screening is very important for both men and women. In general women over 50, with no family history of the disease, should get a colonoscopy every 10 years or a sigmoidoscopy every five years, along with tests to look for blood in the stool. Women with a family history of colon cancer or other risk factors should begin screening with a colonoscopy by age 40.
4. Skin cancer screening: Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. As far as screening goes, you should have your doctor examine your skin from head to toe every few years if you're under 40, and every year if you're over 40. If you have a lot of freckles or moles or are fair-skinned, you may need to be screened more often. And if you have any suspicious moles you're concerned about, have them checked out right away.
5. Blood pressure check: People who have high blood pressure often don't exhibit any symptoms. But over time if left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to serious complications including heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. And the good news is that in most cases, determining if you have high blood pressure doesn't require extensive or invasive testing. So make sure you get it checked at least once a year and more often if you have a history of high blood pressure in your family.