NWHRC: Women & Health Screenings

PREVENTIVE HEALTH SCREENINGS FOR WOMEN^22,23

PREVENTIVE HEALTH SCREENINGS FOR WOMEN
What	When	Why
Dental exam and cleaning	At least once a year; twice a year is best.	To remove plaque and bacteria that could lead to tooth and gum disease; to check for tongue and mouth cancer. Problems with your teeth that turn up during routine cleanings could also indicate osteoporosis.
Stool guaiac test (also called fecal occult blood test)	Annually beginning at age 50 if you do not get other colorectal cancer screening tests.	Tests for blood in the stool to provide an early warning sign about colon cancer. Not as good as a colonoscopy in identifying cancers or precancerous cells.
Screening mammogram	Annually beginning at age 40.	To identify possible early signs of breast cancer.
Clinical breast exam	About every three years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.	Not all breast cancers are found on mammograms; a good clinical breast exam can also help identify cancers relatively early.
Pap test and pelvic exam	About three years after a woman begins having vaginal intercourse, but no later than 21. Screen annually with regular Pap test or every two years using liquid-based Pap test until age 30. Then women who have had three consecutive normal Pap tests may get screened every two to three years; or every three years (but not more frequently) if they've been screened with either Pap test, plus the HPV DNA test. Women with certain risk factors such as diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure before birth, HIV infection or a weakened immune system should continue annual screenings. Women 70 or older who have had three or more normal Pap tests in a row and no abnormal results in the last 10 years may stop having cervical cancer screening. Women who have had their cervix and uterus removed may also stop having cervical cancer screenings, unless the surgery was done as treatment for cervical cancer or pre-cancer.	To screen for abnormalities that could indicate pre- or early cervical cancer.
Blood pressure screening	Every two years in your health care professional's office.	The only way to identify hypertension is with blood pressure screenings.
Cholesterol screening	Every five years beginning at age 35; start at age 20 if you have a family history of heart disease or if you smoke or have diabetes.	Treating cholesterol abnormalities can help reduce your risk of heart disease.
Bone density screening	At least once beginning at age 65; earlier depending on your risk factors for osteoporosis.	There are no obvious signs of osteoporosis until you fracture a bone. Bone density screenings identify problems early, enabling you to start treatment and prevent further bone loss.
Fasting plasma glucose test	Every three years beginning at age 45; more often or earlier if you're overweight or at risk for diabetes.	To provide an early warning sign of high blood sugar levels, which could mean an increased risk for diabetes.
Colonoscopy	Every 10 years, beginning at age 50.	To identify (and remove) precancerous polyps or early cancers.
Rectal exam	Every five to 10 years with your colon cancer screening.
Thyroid test	Every five years beginning at age 35.	To identify an under- or overactive thyroid, both of which are very treatable and either of which can lead to more serious conditions if left untreated.
Skin exams	Every three years beginning at age 20; annually beginning at age 40.	To track worrisome moles and identify skin cancer early.
Hearing test	Beginning at age 18, then once every 10 years until age 50, after which it should be once every three years.	To make sure you're hearing all life has to offer.
Eye exam	At least once from ages 20 to 29; at least two exams between ages 30 and 39; then every two to four years until age 65; annually thereafter.	To test your vision and screen for glaucoma and macular degeneration, two common, often age-related conditions.

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