Women’s Health Checklist

Posted: June 1, 2004

Screening tests, such as mammograms and Pap smears, can find diseases early when they are easier to treat. Some women need certain screening tests earlier, or more often, than others.

This is a list of general guidelines for screening. Talk to your doctor about which of the tests listed below are right for you, when you should have them, and how often.

Mammograms: Have a mammogram every 1 to 2 years starting at age 40.
Pap Smears: Have a Pap smear every 1 to 3 years if you have been sexually active or are older than 18.
Cholesterol Checks: Have your cholesterol checked regularly starting at age 35. If you smoke, have diabetes, or if heart disease runs in your family, start having your cholesterol checked at age 20.
Blood Pressure: Have your blood pressure checked at least every 2 years.
Colorectal Cancer Tests: Have a test for colorectal cancer starting at age 50. Your doctor can help you decide which test is right for you.
Diabetes Tests: Have a test to screen for diabetes if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol or a family history of diabetes.
Depression: If you've felt "down," sad, or hopeless, and have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things for 2 weeks straight, talk to your doctor about whether he or she can screen you for depression.
Osteoporosis Tests: Have a bone density test at age 65 to screen for osteoporosis (thinning of the bones). If you are between the ages of 60 and 64 and weigh 154 lbs. or less, talk to your doctor about whether you should be tested.
Chlamydia Tests and Tests for Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Have a test for Chlamydia if you are 18 to 30 years old. If you are older, talk to your doctor to see whether you should be tested. Also, talk to your doctor to see whether you should be tested for other sexually transmitted diseases.

Should you take medicines to prevent disease?
Hormones: According to recent studies, the risks of taking the combined hormones estrogen and progestin after menopause to prevent long-term illnesses outweigh the benefits. Talk to your doctor about whether starting or continuing to take hormones is right for you.

Breast Cancer Drugs: If your mother, sister, or daughter has had breast cancer, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking medicines and screening options to prevent breast cancer.

Aspirin: Talk to your doctor about taking aspirin to prevent heart disease if you are older than 45 and have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or if you smoke.

Immunizations: Stay up-to-date with your immunizations:

• Have a flu shot every year starting at age 50.
• Have a tetanus-diphtheria shot every 10 years.
• Have a pneumonia shot once at age 65 or older.
• Talk to your doctor to see whether you need hepatitis B shots.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

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