Your women's health checklist: Screenings to help you stay ahead
- Category: Women's Health, Primary Care, Screenings, Preventive Care
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Put your health back on the list
You probably have a to-do list a mile long, but your health deserves a place on it, too. Between work, family, caregiving, and everything else life brings, it can be easy to put your own checkups on the back burner.
Preventative care is one of the best ways to stay ahead of your health. Whether you feel great, have new symptoms or simply cannot remember the last time you say your primary care provider or OB/GYN, a regular checkup can help you understand what your body needs now and what to plan for next.
Why regular checkups matter
A checkup is more than a quick appointment. It's a chance to talk with your provider about your overall health, ask questions, and make sure you're getting the screenings, vaccines, and support recommended or your age, health history, and risk factors.
Regular preventative visits can help identify concerns earlier, when they may be easier to treat or manage. They also give you time to talk about things that may not always feel urgent, but still matter, like sleep, stress, menstrual changes, menopause symptoms, bladder health, sexual health, mental health, nutrition, movement, and family history.
The Women's Preventative Services Initiative recommends at least one preventative care visit each year beginning in adolescence and continuing throughout a woman's life. That visit should be based on age, health needs, and risk factors.
Preventative care is more than screenings
Screenings are important, but they're only one part of preventative care. Depending on your age and health history, your provider may also talk with you about:
- Blood pressure
- Cervical, breast, colorectal and bone health screenings
- Vaccine and immunizations
- Pregnancy planning or postpartum health
- Menstrual cycle changes or menopause symptoms
- Mental health, anxiety, or depression
- Nutrition, physical activity, and sleep
- Tobacco, alcohol, or substance use
- Family history and genetic risk
Your provider can help you decide which screenings are right for you and how often you need them.
Health screenings by age
Every woman's health needs are different. These age ranges are a general guide, but your provider may recommend certain screenings earlier or more often based on your personal health history, family history, or symptoms.
In your 20s
Your 20s are a good time to build a relationship with a primary care provider or OB/GYN and establish healthy habits. During this stage, preventive care may include blood pressure checks, cervical cancer screening, sexual health conversations, STI testing when appropriate, vaccines and support for mental health, nutrition and birth control or pregnancy planning.
Cervical cancer screening generally begins at age 21. For women ages 21 to 29, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends cervical cytology, commonly known as a Pap test, every three years.
In your 30s
In your 30s, preventive care continues to focus on overall wellness, reproductive health and early risk detection. Your provider may talk with you about blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes risk, cervical cancer screening, family planning, pregnancy history, mental health and any changes in your cycle or symptoms.
For women ages 30 to 65, cervical cancer screening may include a Pap test every three years, high-risk HPV testing every five years or co-testing every five years, depending on what is right for you.
In your 40s
Your 40s are an important time to talk with your provider about breast health, heart health, and changes related to perimenopause. You may also begin certain cancer screenings during this decade.
The USPSTF recommends breast cancer screening every other year for women ages 40 to 74. Colorectal cancer screening is generally recommended beginning at age 45 for adults at average risk.
This is also a good time to ask about cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes risk, weight changes, sleep, stress and any family history that could affect your care plan.
In your 50s and 60s
In your 50s and 60s, preventive care often focuses on staying active, managing risk factors and keeping up with recommended screenings. This may include mammograms, colorectal cancer screening, blood pressure checks, cholesterol and diabetes screening, cervical cancer screening when appropriate and conversations about menopause, bladder health, bone health and heart disease risk.
Your provider may also talk with you about vaccines recommended for adults, including flu, COVID-19, shingles, Tdap/Td and others based on your age, health history and risk factors.
65 and beyond
After 65, preventive care is still important. Your provider can help you stay up to date on screenings, vaccines, medication management, fall prevention, bone health, memory concerns, nutrition, movement and chronic condition management.
Some screenings may continue, change or stop depending on your health history and prior results. For example, breast cancer screening recommendations vary after age 74, and cervical cancer screening may not be needed after age 65 for some women with a history of normal results. Your provider can help you decide what makes sense for you.
Small habits that support women's health
Preventative care does not only happen in the doctor's office. Small, everyday choices can also support your long-term health. Try to:
- Move your body regularly in ways that feel doable
- Choose meals with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains
- Prioritize sleep when you can
- Find healthy ways to manage stress
- Avoid smoking and talk with your provider if you need help quitting
- Limit alcohol
- Keep up with recommended vaccines
- Pay attention to new or unusual symptoms
You do not have to do everything perfectly. Even small steps can make a difference over time.
Know your family history
Your family history can help your provider better understand your risk for certain conditions, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
Before your next checkup, ask close family members about major health conditions, the age they were diagnosed, and any genetic testing they may have had. Sharing this information with your provider can help guide which screenings you may need and when.
Due for a checkup?
If it has been a while since your last checkup, now is a good time to schedule one. A Touro primary care provider or OB/GYN can help you understand which screenings are right for your age, health history, and goals.
