You're a health-conscious woman and have a busy life with bills to pay, kids to care for, work deadlines and more. And we understand what you might be thinking: “I don't have time for medical appointments when I'm feeling well.” But getting routine health screenings is the best way to stay healthy and keep your life on track.
For your convenience, here is a guide to recommended women's health screenings and when you should get them. Remember that the earlier a potential health challenge is spotted, the more quickly and effectively it can be treated.
For Your Breast Health
No one knows your body like you do. Be aware of any changes in your breasts, from a painless lump to different skin texture or a nipple abnormality. Make an appointment to discuss these with your health care provider as soon as possible. In addition, for average-risk women, the following should be considered:
- Clinical breast exams: These may be offered in the context of an informed, shared decision-making process between you and your provider.
- Screening mammograms: These are recommended every one to two years as discussed with your health care provider, starting between the ages of 40 and 50.
For Your Reproductive Health
If you have an OB/GYN, nurse practitioner or certified nurse midwife who you visit regularly, your gynecologic health screenings should be covered. Your provider will investigate the reason for any symptoms you may be having and will conduct your cervical cancer screenings.
Women have numerous options for cervical cancer screening, including combined HPV testing with cervical cytology (recommended every five years) or cervical cytology alone every three years, or HPV testing alone every five years. The age to start screening in average-risk women is 21; the age to stop is 65 years, provided that there is a consistent record of negative cytology tests in previous years.
Cervical cancer screenings should be discontinued in women who have had a hysterectomy and the cervix removed; however, this recommendation does not apply to women with a history of cervical cancer or significant cervical disease.
Finally, talk to your physician about the HPV vaccine and whether it is recommended for you.
For Your Heart Health
Visit your primary care provider for the following regular tests to help safeguard your cardiovascular health:
- Blood pressure testing should begin at age 18 and continue annually.
- Cholesterol panel is a fasting lipoprotein profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides) and is recommended for women aged 20 to 44 who are at risk for coronary heart disease. Beginning at age 45, testing should occur every five years.
- Diabetes: Adults with hypertension or hyperlipidemia should be screened, as well as those aged 40 to 70 years who are overweight or obese.
Additional Screenings
The following screenings are also recommended for women to receive at least once in their adulthood:
- Hepatitis C (HCV) is a one-time screening recommended for women born in the United States between 1945 and 1965.
- Bone density scan: The timing and frequency of this testing should be discussed with your provider.
Your health care provider may modify or add to these recommendations based on your medical history and personal risk factors.
Learn more about the whole-person care we provide to women of every age and life stage by visiting us here.
