As you age your risk for certain diseases and health conditions changes. Regular checkups and screenings help to catch warning signs early on. The earlier a health issue is detected the easier it is to treat. To keep yourself in top shape. here’s a handy guide to important medical test and screenings you should get throughout your life.

Your guide to health screenings by age for women

When you are the 20’s

Diet
Discuss your diet with your primary care doctor, as well as tips on how to maintain a healthy weight.

Birth Control
If interested, ask your OB/GYN which method will be best for your lifestyle and what risk and side effects are associated with each type.

Eye Exam
Every 1-2 years tests for vision, glaucoma and macular degeneration.

Hearing test
Every 10 years tests ear function.

Blood pressure screening
Every 2 years tests risk for heart conditions.

Skin Exam
Yearly tests for signs of skin cancer.

Pelvic exam
Yearly checks for signs of cancer.

Pap Smear
Every 3 years tests for risk for cervical cancer.

When you are in the 30s

 

Blood pressure screening
Every 2 years tests risk for heart conditions.

Skin Exam
Yearly tests for signs of skin cancer.
Pelvic Exam yearly checks for signs of cancer

Pap smear
Every 3 years tests risk for cervical cancer.

Blood glucose test
Every 5 years tests risk for diabetes

Cholesterol screening
Every 5 years tests risk for heart diseases.

Thyroid stimulating hormone test
Every few years test for underactive or overactive thyroid.

Babies
If interested ask your Ob/Gyn if you are in proper health to conceive, how to determine when you are ovulating, and what your options are if you have trouble getting pregnant.

Vaccinations
Ask your primary care doctor if your immunization is up to date, every ten years, update your vaccinations for tetanus, pertussis, diphtheria or a whooping cough.

When you are in the 40s

Blood pressure screening
Every 2 years tests risk for heart conditions.

Skin Exam
Yearly tests for signs of skin cancer
Pelvic exam yearly checks for signs of cancer

Pap smear
Every 3 years tests risk for cervical cancer.

Blood glucose test
Every 5 years tests risk for diabetes.

Cholesterol screening
Yearly tests for signs of heart disease.

Bone density testing
Every 3 years test for signs of osteoporosis

Mammogram
Yearly tests for signs of breast cancer. Your doctor will refer you to a facility where mammograms are administered by a radiologic technician and the results are read by a radiologist.

Ovarian screening
Every 3 years post menopausal women tests for signs of ovarian cancer.

Dentist
Mouth cancer screening an examination of your mouth for any signs of possible mouth cancer, which is more likely to strike after age 40.

Bone loss
Discuss ways to guard against bone loss with your primary care doctor

Cancer Screenings
Breast cervical, ovarian, colon and endometrial cancer risks rise at this age, So gynecological exams every three years and yearly mammograms are essential. Ask your doctor, about how to perform a breast self-exam in between annual mammograms

When you are in the 50s

Bone density test
If recommended your body will refer you to facility where bone density tests are administered by a radiologic technician and the results are read by a radiologist

Colonoscopy
Every ten years your primary care physician will refer you to a gastroenterologist for a rectal screening.