Women's Health Month: Routine Checkups for Women at Every Age

At Bella Terra Primary Care, we strongly believe in the power of preventive medicine. We want to help you avoid disease and illness so you can live a longer, healthier, happier life.

A critical aspect of preventive medicine is screening. Regular checkups make it easier to detect any potential health issues before they negatively impact your quality of life. These screenings may even catch serious diseases like cancer in the early stages, giving you a much better prognosis and a great chance at full recovery.

During women’s health month, we encourage our female patients to review their current lineup of medical appointments. Use this as an opportunity to take good care of yourself by scheduling any recommended screenings you need according to your age. If you have specific concerns due to personal or family health history, current medical conditions, or other factors, be sure to talk to your doctor.

Regular Exams

An annual physical exam is one of the most important health screenings for everyone, including women. Once per year, you should see your doctor in person for a comprehensive wellness exam, even if you feel fine and are generally healthy. This workup will help your doctor provide personalized guidance in terms of follow-up treatments, preventive care, and healthy lifestyle choices.

Throughout adulthood, it’s also recommended for women to complete the following health screenings on a frequent basis:

• Flu shot: Every year
• Breast cancer: Monthly breast self-exams and yearly clinical breast exam
• Blood pressure: Check every one to two years
• Skin: Annual full body skin exam to check for suspicious moles or lesions
• Dental: Once or twice per year for exam and cleaning
• Eyes: Exam every two years if you have vision problems

Age 18 to 39

There are fewer routine screenings recommended for women in this age group since health risks tend to be lower at a younger age. However, women ages 18 to 39 do have some important screening recommendations, including:

• Cervical cancer: Pap test every three years starting at age 21
• STIs: Regular screenings are recommended for those who are sexually active
• HPV: If not already vaccinated, get the HPV vaccine.

Age 40 to 64

Women in this age group need to start scheduling more regular health screenings than they did in their 20s and 30s. Age can be a key risk factor for a number of diseases, and staying on top of your recommended screenings is a great way to be proactive about your health at this stage of life.

Recommended screenings for women ages 40 to 64 include the following, in addition to screenings from the previous lists:

• Diabetes: Screening every three years starting at age 45
• Cholesterol: Check beginning at age 45 and repeat every five years if levels are normal
• Breast cancer: Mammograms every one to two years from age 50 to 75
• Colorectal cancer: Screenings from age 50 to 75, including a colonoscopy every 10 years
• Shingles: Vaccine recommended for women age 50 and older

Age 65 and Older

Women in their senior years have increased risk factors for certain conditions. If you notice any unusual symptoms, get them checked out right away. While there are many screenings to keep up with at this point in life, there are also some which you no longer need after certain age.

For women ages 65 and up, recommended screenings include the following, in addition to screenings from the previous lists:

• Osteoporosis: Bone density test every two to five years
• Pneumonia: Pneumococcal vaccine (PPSV23) for age 65 and older
• Hepatitis C: Hep C vaccine for those born between 1945 and 1965

If you’re unsure which screenings you need, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team of helpful and friendly medical professionals at Bella Terra Primary Care. We use an evidence-based model that encourages preventive care to reduce your risk for diseases and other health complications, so we can provide the personalized guidance you need to schedule your recommended screenings. Contact us to schedule a physical exam or set up a virtual appointment.