Health Checks After Forty (Women)
Yesterday, we considered some checks/tests men from 40 years upwards should do. Today, we look at those for women.
They say life starts at forty. Whether that is true or nay remains a topic for discourse. However, from this age, you should start taking your health more seriously. Your body is beginning to change and you should take care of it, so it can serve you well and long. You should visit your healthcare provider regularly, even if you feel healthy. The purpose of these visits is to:
Even if you feel fine, you should still see your health care provider for regular checkups. These visits can help you avoid problems in the future. For example, the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly. High blood sugar and high cholesterol levels also may not have any symptoms in the early stages. A simple blood test can check for these conditions.
There are specific times when you should see your healthcare provider.
BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING
Have your blood pressure checked every 2 years. If the top number (systolic number) is between 120-139 or the bottom number (diastolic number) is between 80-89 mmHg or higher, have it checked every year. Watch for blood pressure screenings in your area. Ask your provider if you can stop in to have your blood pressure checked. Or check your blood pressure using the automated machines at local grocery stores and pharmacies. If the top number is greater than 140, or the bottom number is greater than 90, schedule an appointment with your provider. If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to have your blood pressure checked more often.
CHOLESTEROL SCREENING
If you are over age 44, you should be checked every 5 years. If you have high cholesterol levels, diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be checked more often.
DIABETES SCREENING
If you are over age 44, you should be screened every 3 years. If your blood pressure is above 135/80 mmHg, or you have other risk factors for diabetes, your provider may test your blood sugar level for diabetes.
COLON CANCER SCREENING
If you are under age 50, you should be screened only if you have a strong family history of colon cancer or polyps, or have a history of inflammatory bowel disease or polyps. If you are between ages 50-75, you should be screened for colorectal cancer. This may involve:
You may need a colonoscopy more often if you have risk factors for colon cancer, such as:
DENTAL EXAM
Go to the dentist every year for an exam and cleaning.
EYE EXAM
Have an eye exam every 1-3 years if you have vision problems or glaucoma risk.
IMMUNIZATIONS
You should get a flu shot every year. Ask your provider if you should get a vaccine to reduce your risk of pneumonia. You should have a tetanus-diphtheria and acellular pertussis (TdAP) vaccine once as part of your tetanus-diphtheria vaccines. You should have a tetanus-diphtheria booster every 10 years. You may get a shingles or herpes zoster vaccine once after age 60.
PHYSICAL EXAM
You should have a physical exam every 1 to 2 years. Your height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) should be checked at each exam. Routine diagnostic tests are not recommended.
BREAST EXAM
Women may do a monthly breast self-exam. However, experts do not agree about the benefits of breast self-exams in finding breast cancer or saving lives. Talk to your provider about what is best for you. You should contact your provider immediately if you notice a change in your breasts, whether or not you do self-exams. Your provider should do a complete breast exam as part of your preventive exam.
MAMMOGRAM
Women ages 40-49 may have a mammogram every 1-2 years. However, not all experts agree about the benefits of having a mammogram in finding breast cancer or saving lives. Talk to your provider about what is best for you. Women ages 50-75 should have a mammogram every 1-2 years, depending on their risk factors, to check for breast cancer.
OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING
All postmenopausal women with fractures should have a bone density test (DEXA scan). If you are under age 65 and have risk factors for osteoporosis, you should be screened.
PELVIC EXAM AND PAP SMEAR
You should have a Pap smear every 3 years. If you have both a Pap smear and human papilloma virus (HPV) test, you can be tested every 5 years. HPV is the virus that causes genital warts and cervical cancer. Your provider may do pelvic exams more often if you develop problems. If you have had your uterus and cervix removed (total hysterectomy), you do NOT need to have Pap smears. Women who are sexually active and at high risk should be screened for chlamydia infection. This can be done during a pelvic exam. Your provider will ask you questions about alcohol and tobacco, and may ask you about depression.
SKIN EXAM
The American Cancer Society recommends a skin exam as part of a periodic exam by your provider, if it is indicated. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) does not recommend for or against performing a skin self-exam.
LUNG CANCER SCREENING
The USPSTF recommends annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in adults aged 55 - 80 years who:
They say life starts at forty. Whether that is true or nay remains a topic for discourse. However, from this age, you should start taking your health more seriously. Your body is beginning to change and you should take care of it, so it can serve you well and long. You should visit your healthcare provider regularly, even if you feel healthy. The purpose of these visits is to:
- Screen for medical issues
- Assess your risk of future medical problems
- Encourage a healthy lifestyle
- Update vaccinations
- Help you get to know your provider in case of an illness
Even if you feel fine, you should still see your health care provider for regular checkups. These visits can help you avoid problems in the future. For example, the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly. High blood sugar and high cholesterol levels also may not have any symptoms in the early stages. A simple blood test can check for these conditions.
There are specific times when you should see your healthcare provider.
BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING
Have your blood pressure checked every 2 years. If the top number (systolic number) is between 120-139 or the bottom number (diastolic number) is between 80-89 mmHg or higher, have it checked every year. Watch for blood pressure screenings in your area. Ask your provider if you can stop in to have your blood pressure checked. Or check your blood pressure using the automated machines at local grocery stores and pharmacies. If the top number is greater than 140, or the bottom number is greater than 90, schedule an appointment with your provider. If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to have your blood pressure checked more often.
CHOLESTEROL SCREENING
If you are over age 44, you should be checked every 5 years. If you have high cholesterol levels, diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be checked more often.
DIABETES SCREENING
If you are over age 44, you should be screened every 3 years. If your blood pressure is above 135/80 mmHg, or you have other risk factors for diabetes, your provider may test your blood sugar level for diabetes.
COLON CANCER SCREENING
If you are under age 50, you should be screened only if you have a strong family history of colon cancer or polyps, or have a history of inflammatory bowel disease or polyps. If you are between ages 50-75, you should be screened for colorectal cancer. This may involve:
- A stool test done every year.
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5-10 years, along with a stool guaiac test.
- Colonoscopy every 10 years.
You may need a colonoscopy more often if you have risk factors for colon cancer, such as:
- Ulcerative colitis.
- A personal or family history of colorectal cancer.
- A history of large colorectal adenomas.
DENTAL EXAM
Go to the dentist every year for an exam and cleaning.
EYE EXAM
Have an eye exam every 1-3 years if you have vision problems or glaucoma risk.
IMMUNIZATIONS
You should get a flu shot every year. Ask your provider if you should get a vaccine to reduce your risk of pneumonia. You should have a tetanus-diphtheria and acellular pertussis (TdAP) vaccine once as part of your tetanus-diphtheria vaccines. You should have a tetanus-diphtheria booster every 10 years. You may get a shingles or herpes zoster vaccine once after age 60.
PHYSICAL EXAM
You should have a physical exam every 1 to 2 years. Your height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) should be checked at each exam. Routine diagnostic tests are not recommended.
BREAST EXAM
Women may do a monthly breast self-exam. However, experts do not agree about the benefits of breast self-exams in finding breast cancer or saving lives. Talk to your provider about what is best for you. You should contact your provider immediately if you notice a change in your breasts, whether or not you do self-exams. Your provider should do a complete breast exam as part of your preventive exam.
MAMMOGRAM
Women ages 40-49 may have a mammogram every 1-2 years. However, not all experts agree about the benefits of having a mammogram in finding breast cancer or saving lives. Talk to your provider about what is best for you. Women ages 50-75 should have a mammogram every 1-2 years, depending on their risk factors, to check for breast cancer.
OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING
All postmenopausal women with fractures should have a bone density test (DEXA scan). If you are under age 65 and have risk factors for osteoporosis, you should be screened.
PELVIC EXAM AND PAP SMEAR
You should have a Pap smear every 3 years. If you have both a Pap smear and human papilloma virus (HPV) test, you can be tested every 5 years. HPV is the virus that causes genital warts and cervical cancer. Your provider may do pelvic exams more often if you develop problems. If you have had your uterus and cervix removed (total hysterectomy), you do NOT need to have Pap smears. Women who are sexually active and at high risk should be screened for chlamydia infection. This can be done during a pelvic exam. Your provider will ask you questions about alcohol and tobacco, and may ask you about depression.
SKIN EXAM
The American Cancer Society recommends a skin exam as part of a periodic exam by your provider, if it is indicated. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) does not recommend for or against performing a skin self-exam.
LUNG CANCER SCREENING
The USPSTF recommends annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in adults aged 55 - 80 years who:
- Have a 30 pack-year smoking history AND
- Currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.
Culled and edited. Courtesy U.S National Library of Medicine. Images: USNLM, Google
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