Healthy Resolutions Include Routine Screenings
By Catherine York, M.D.
Practicing healthy and safe behaviors is one of the easiest and most effective ways of preventing health problems. A wellness program includes regular checkups with your healthcare provider. Below is a list of recommended preventive screenings for women. These are just the basics; you’ll want to talk with your doctor about a screening schedule tailored to your individual health needs.
CHOLESTEROL TESTS: Heart disease kills more women than all cancers combined. Many heart disease deaths could be prevented by controlling cholesterol. Frequency: Every five years, more often if levels are abnormal.
BLOOD PRESSURE TESTS: High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart and kidney disease, and stroke. Frequency: Annually.
OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING: Half of U.S. women over 50 will have a bone fracture due to osteoporosis, or progressive thinning of the bones. Frequency: Women over age 50 who have a family history of osteoporosis, a thin/petite build, who smoke, or ingest little calcium or Vitamin D may want to talk with their doctor about taking an easy, noninvasive bone density test that can detect bone loss in its early stages.
PELVIC EXAM/PAP TEST: All women should have an annual pelvic exam and Pap smear to detect gynecological cancers and other conditions. Pelvic exams can detect infections, uterine fibroids and abnormalities in the cervix and uterus. Frequency: Annually.
MAMMOGRAMS: Breast cancer is the third leading cause of death among women; the key to prevention is early detection and treatment. Frequency: Annually after age 40.
BREAST EXAMS: Because mammograms miss 10 percent of breast cancers, breast self- exams and clinical breast exams are vital. Frequency: Self-exams should be done monthly beginning at age 20. (Have your doctor review your technique if you’re unsure.) Additionally, women 20-39 should get a clinical breast exam every three years; annually after age 40.
COLON CANCER TESTS: Detecting the presence of polyps and removing them can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, the third most common cancer. Frequency: Women at average risk for colorectal cancer should follow one of these five testing schedules beginning at age 50:
Patients with colorectal cancer risk factors should begin screening earlier and/or more often.
BLOOD SUGAR TESTS: High levels of glucose in the blood can be a sign of diabetes, which can lead to serious health problems. Frequency: People over age 45 should get a fasting blood sugar test every three years.
Practicing healthy and safe behaviors is one of the easiest and most effective ways of preventing health problems. A wellness program includes regular checkups with your healthcare provider. Below is a list of recommended preventive screenings for women. These are just the basics; you’ll want to talk with your doctor about a screening schedule tailored to your individual health needs.
CHOLESTEROL TESTS: Heart disease kills more women than all cancers combined. Many heart disease deaths could be prevented by controlling cholesterol. Frequency: Every five years, more often if levels are abnormal.
BLOOD PRESSURE TESTS: High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart and kidney disease, and stroke. Frequency: Annually.
OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING: Half of U.S. women over 50 will have a bone fracture due to osteoporosis, or progressive thinning of the bones. Frequency: Women over age 50 who have a family history of osteoporosis, a thin/petite build, who smoke, or ingest little calcium or Vitamin D may want to talk with their doctor about taking an easy, noninvasive bone density test that can detect bone loss in its early stages.
PELVIC EXAM/PAP TEST: All women should have an annual pelvic exam and Pap smear to detect gynecological cancers and other conditions. Pelvic exams can detect infections, uterine fibroids and abnormalities in the cervix and uterus. Frequency: Annually.
MAMMOGRAMS: Breast cancer is the third leading cause of death among women; the key to prevention is early detection and treatment. Frequency: Annually after age 40.
BREAST EXAMS: Because mammograms miss 10 percent of breast cancers, breast self- exams and clinical breast exams are vital. Frequency: Self-exams should be done monthly beginning at age 20. (Have your doctor review your technique if you’re unsure.) Additionally, women 20-39 should get a clinical breast exam every three years; annually after age 40.
COLON CANCER TESTS: Detecting the presence of polyps and removing them can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, the third most common cancer. Frequency: Women at average risk for colorectal cancer should follow one of these five testing schedules beginning at age 50:
- Colonoscopy every 10 years (preferred option)
- Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years
- Yearly FOBT or FIT, plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years (preferred over either of these options alone)
- Double-contrast barium enema every five years
Patients with colorectal cancer risk factors should begin screening earlier and/or more often.
BLOOD SUGAR TESTS: High levels of glucose in the blood can be a sign of diabetes, which can lead to serious health problems. Frequency: People over age 45 should get a fasting blood sugar test every three years.
