Time for a checkup: health screenings for women

You probably have a to-do list a mile long, but don’t let your busyness get in the way of your health. Get the checkups and health screenings you need.

It can be tempting for women to put checkups and other preventive services on the back burner. Everything else takes priority, including the health and wellness of our loved ones, while we ignore our own health needs.

Make today the day you put that mindset in the past! If you’re overdue for a checkup with your Touro primary care provider (PCP), it’s time to schedule one. Your PCP can help you identify which screenings you should have based on your individual health needs, but keep reading for a look at some screening headliners for women.

Why you need regular checkups

You may think about visiting the doctor as something you do when you’re sick, but you should also do it when you’re well. Regular visits with a PCP can help you catch potential issues with your health before they develop into significant problems.

During an annual checkup, your provider will talk with you about your physical and mental health and wellness. You’ll be encouraged to share any symptoms you’re experiencing and to ask questions about your health.

During a checkup, your provider can also recommend age-appropriate screenings, helping you stay informed about your health. You may need any or all of the screenings discussed below.

Health screenings you need before age 40

Even if you feel perfectly healthy, you should still see your PCP and receive certain tests. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends these tests for women between ages 18 and 39:

• Blood glucose testing to check for diabetes should be done at least every three years, beginning at age 35, if you are overweight or obese.
• Blood pressure screening should be done every three to five years, or more often if you have high blood pressure or risk factors for the condition.
• Cervical cancer screening should begin at age 21. Women ages 21 to 29 should have a Pap test every three years, while women ages 30 and older should have a Pap test every three years, an HPV test every five years or both tests (called cotesting) every five years.
• Cholesterol screening should be done every five years, beginning at age 20 for women with risk factors for heart disease.

Routine breast cancer screenings are not recommended at this age, but your provider may refer you for screening tests for breast problems, such as lumps or nipple discharge, or if you’re at a high risk of breast cancer.

Health screenings you need after the big 4–0

Many health conditions become more common as we get older, so more screenings are recommended for this age group. The USPSTF recommends these tests for women between ages 40 and 64:

• Blood glucose testing to check for diabetes should continue at least every three years, if you are overweight or obese.
• Blood pressure screening should be done annually, or more often if you have high blood pressure or risk factors for the condition.
• Cervical cancer screening should continue in this age group with a Pap test every three years, an HPV test every five years or cotesting every five years.
• Cholesterol screening should be done every five years for all women, beginning at age 45, and for women ages 40 to 45 if they’re at a high risk of heart disease.
• Colorectal cancer screening should begin at age 45 for all women at average risk of colorectal cancer. Talk with a provider about which screening method is right for you. Colonoscopy is the gold standard for identifying inflammatory bowel disease or polyps, so it is usually recommended for those at a higher risk.
• Mammography to detect breast cancer should begin at age 40 and be repeated either every year or every other year. If you have risk factors for breast cancer, such as dense breasts, you may also need additional screenings for breast cancer, including ultrasound or breast MRI.

Women who smoke or who have smoked in the past may benefit from an annual lung cancer screening beginning at age 50. Lung cancer screening uses a low-dose CT scan of the chest to identify suspicious lung nodules that may be cancer.

This screening is recommended for those ages 50 to 80 who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and who currently smoke or who quit in the past 15 years. Wondering what a “pack year” is? Someone who smoked two packs of cigarettes daily for 10 years or one pack of cigarettes daily for 20 years would have a 20 pack-year history.

Due for a checkup? Learn more about Women’s Health services at Touro, or find a provider near you.