Whether a woman is 21 years old or 65 years old, paying attention to her health ensures a higher quality of life.
Having regular screening tests can detect possible troubles from osteoporosis to breast cancer, and many other health concerns of women.
But before a woman runs to her doctor for a battery of tests every year, she should know that not every test needs to be conducted at certain ages. For example, osteoporosis is an issue that typically strikes older women, so having a bone density test at age 35 isn’t necessary for most women unless there have been several broken bones or the doctor finds a special reason to order such a test.
The United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Women’s Health, along with other branches of the Health and Human Services department and other healthcare organizations, publishes guidelines so women can learn about important health screenings. The Office of Women’s Health recommends that women have regular checkups and talk to their doctor about any special concerns because the timing of some screening tests can be based on many concerns.
“While women cannot control all risk factors for diseases, such as age or family history, we can reduce adverse health consequences by getting regular preventive screenings to catch conditions in their early stages when intervention is most effective,” said Nancy C. Lee, M.D., Deputy Assistant Secretary of Health - Women's Health, and Director of the Office on Women’s Health. “And now under the Affordable Care Act, women’s preventive health care is generally covered with no cost sharing for most women. This includes mammograms, screenings for cervical cancer, prenatal care, and other services,” Lee said.
Some screening tests, such as those for sexually transmitted diseases including chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhea, are recommended for women 18 and up in certain cases, like if they are sexually active, pregnant, or at increased risk. Get screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea infections if you are 18-24 or younger and sexually active. It’s recommended that all women 18 and older have an HIV test at least once, especially if pregnant, and women should seek a doctor’s opinion if additional HIV tests are needed more frequently.
And don’t forget dental and eye health! Go to the dentist once or twice every year for an exam and cleaning, and also so the dentist can evaluate if you more frequent visits, recommends the U.S. National Institute of Health’s National Library of Medicine, which also recommends an eye exam every two years (or more often) if you have vision problems.
Here’s a rundown of other basic health screening tests recommended for women by age range, from the Office of Women’s Health and also the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality:
Ages 18–39
Blood pressure: Women should have their blood pressure tested every two years if blood pressure is normal (lower than 120/80). If it’s higher (between 120/80 and 139/89), get blood pressure tested yearly, and discuss treatment options with the doctor if blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. Women of all ages — from 18 to 65+ — with high blood pressure (135/80 or higher) or who take medicine for high blood pressure also should have a diabetes screening.
Cholesterol: Starting at 20, have a regular cholesterol test if you are at increased risk for heart disease. Ask your doctor or nurse how often your cholesterol needs to be tested.
Pap smears: Women 21 and older should have a Pap smear every three years to check for cervical cancer. At 30 and through age 65, women can get a Pap smear and a test for HPV (human papilloma virus) together every five years if test results are normal.
Ages 40–49
Blood pressure: Women should have their blood pressure tested every two years if blood pressure is normal (lower than 120/80). If it’s higher (between 120/80 and 139/89), get blood pressure tested yearly, and discuss treatment options with the doctor if blood pressure is 140/90 or higher.
Diabetes: Women of all ages with high blood pressure (135/80 or higher) or who take medicine for high blood pressure also should have a diabetes screening.
Cholesterol: Have a regular cholesterol test if you are at increased risk for heart disease. Ask your doctor or nurse how often your cholesterol needs to be tested.
Mammogram: Discuss with your doctor whether to get a mammogram to check for breast cancer.
Pap smear: Get a Pap smear and a test for HPV together every five years if test results are normal.
Ages 50–64
Blood pressure: Women should have their blood pressure tested every two years if blood pressure is normal (lower than 120/80). If it’s higher (between 120/80 and 139/89), get blood pressure tested yearly, and discuss treatment options with the doctor if blood pressure is 140/90 or higher.
Diabetes: Women of all ages with high blood pressure (135/80 or higher) or who take medicine for high blood pressure also should have a diabetes screening.
Cholesterol: Have a regular cholesterol test if you are at increased risk for heart disease. Ask your doctor or nurse how often your cholesterol needs to be tested.
Mammograms: Have a mammogram every two years starting at age 50.
Bone mineral density: Discuss with your doctor if you are at risk for osteoporosis and should have a bone mineral density test.
Colorectal cancer: Starting at 50, get screened for colorectal cancer. Ask your doctor which of the various tests for this is best for you and how often you need it.
Pap smear, HPV: Get a Pap smear and a test for HPV together every five years if test results are normal.
Lung cancer: Talk to your doctor about getting screened for lung cancer if you are 55-80 years old, have a 30 pack-year smoking history, and smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years. (Pack-year history is the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day times the number of years you have smoked.)
Age 65 and older
Blood pressure: Women should have their blood pressure tested every two years if blood pressure is normal (lower than 120/80). If it’s higher (between 120/80 and 139/89), get blood pressure tested yearly, and discuss treatment options with the doctor if blood pressure is 140/90 or higher.
Diabetes: Women of all ages with high blood pressure (135/80 or higher) or who take medicine for high blood pressure also should have a diabetes screening.
Cholesterol: Have a regular cholesterol test if you are at increased risk for heart disease. Ask your doctor or nurse how often your cholesterol needs to be tested.
Mammograms: Have a mammogram every two years through age 74 then ask your doctor or nurse if you need to continue having mammograms.
Bone mineral density: Have a bone mineral density test to screen for osteoporosis at least once at 65 and ask your doctor about repeat testing.
Colorectal cancer: Get screened for colorectal cancer through age 75.
Pap smear: Ask your doctor if you still need a Pap smear.
Finally, women with a strong family history of certain cancers like breast or ovarian cancer may benefit from genetic counseling and BRCA genetic testing at any age.
