I just turned 40 years old and have been reading a lot about screenings for women. But how do I know which ones I should be getting, and how often?
Just like you can prolong the working life of a complex machine, you can prevent serious health problems by keeping up with your annual screenings. Good health starts with prevention, and getting your regular screenings—along with living a healthy lifestyle—can keep you from having to be treated for an avoidable medical issue.
It can be difficult to keep track of what screenings you should have done, when to get them and how often. But it helps to keep a list broken down by category:
Breast Health: Have a breast exam done by your doctor annually and a mammogram every 1-2 years starting at age 40 for detection of breast tumors.
Gynecology: Have a pap smear and pelvic exam done every 1-3 years to screen for cervical and other gynecologic cancers, or precancerous conditions. The precise interval will be determined by your provider based on your individual history.
Colorectal Health: Have stool testing done each year for early detection of colorectal tumors and then a colonoscopy every 7-10 years starting at age 50. More frequent testing may be recommended based on your personal and family histories of colorectal problems.
Bone Health: Have a bone density test done if you are peri- or post-menopause.
Cardiovascular Health: Have an annual blood pressure screening to check for hypertension (high blood pressure) and a baseline echocardiogram and cholesterol panel done to screen for signs of heart disease.
—Gary R. Brickner, MD, FACOG, RWJ Center for Women’s Health
This content is intended to encourage a healthy lifestyle. For medical advice and treatment, see a physician. Concerned about your health? Send your questions to askthedoc@rwjuhh.edu
