By and large, this is the healthiest time of our lives, thus when serious illnesses do happen they are more difficult to deal with. Your healthstyle during these years will influence your health for the rest of your life. Use these years to get fit and eat healthily, your body will never be so forgiving again!  

At this age only two cancers are at all common. These are testicular cancer and cervical cancer.

 Breast cancer can occur but is less common. Each of these cancers can be detected by self examination or a simple test. Every man, from puberty, needs to regularly examine his testicles. Breast self examination is again relatively easy and needs to be done regularly from the mid-twenties. Breast lumps are relatively common at this age and are almost always benign. However, always get breast lumps checked by a specialist. Many hospitals hold a regular clinic especially for breast problems.

The best results for the treatment of cancer are almost always achieved in specialist centres.

It is important to be familiar with your own body so if there are any changes, you can pick them up immediately. To learn about breast and testicular self examination and examination of other parts of the body, follow this link Self examination.

Cervical smears test the cells around the neck of the womb. These are usually done by practice nurses or GPs. As soon as a woman becomes sexually active, she needs to have regular smears. For further information follow this link Cervical Smears

Have your blood pressure checked from time to time and get your cholesterol level tested. This is especially important if other members of the family have heart disease or diabetes.

At this age, apart from sore throats, flu and chest infections, the commonest reasons to visit the doctor are for contraception and acne treatment. Contraception advice and prescriptions are available without charge at GP Surgeries and Family Planning Clinics.

There are now many effective medical treatments for acne. Severe, acne may scar, so treatment is worthwhile. This may be long term antibiotic treatment for example Minocycline, erythromycin or oxytetracycline or dalacin lotion

Make Time for

Monthly
Testicular self-examination
Breast self-examination 
Check for lumps and moles

6 monthly
blood pressure at a pill check

1 - 3 yearly
Blood pressure  
Cervical Smear
Urine test

10 years
Cholesterol as long as its below
5.2mmol/l

Immunisations
Tetanus every 10 years
Meningitis A+C at 17yrs



For further information

Blood pressure
Cervical Smear
Cholesterol
Self examination
Urine testing