Preventive Health Screenings for Women: Which Tests, What Age, and How Often?
Feb 27 • 2015
Preventive screenings are important for women’s health at a variety of stages, but many women aren’t aware of what tests they should be getting at what point in their lives. It is important to visit your doctor for annual checkups and discuss tobacco use, alcohol consumption, weight, and depression, but there are also specific screenings that females should be aware of.
Age 18-39:
- Blood pressure: every two years if normal or once a year or more if high
- Breast cancer: speak with your doctor or nurse to determine how early to start screening
- Pap test: once every three years for women 21 and older, once every five years for women 30 years and
older - Cholesterol: get tested regularly beginning at age 20 if you are at risk for heart disease
- Diabetes: if your blood pressure is higher than 135/80 or you take medicine for high blood pressure, get screened for diabetes
Age 40-49:
- Blood pressure: every two years if normal or once a year or more if high
- Breast cancer: begin receiving annual mammograms at age 40
- Pap test: once every five years with an HPV test
- Cholesterol: get tested regularly if you are at risk for heart disease
- Diabetes: if your blood pressure is higher than 135/80 or you take medicine for high blood pressure, get
screened for diabetes
Age 50-64:
- Blood pressure: every two years if normal or once a year or more if high
- Osteoporosis: speak with your doctor or nurse if you are at risk of developing osteoporosis
- Breast cancer: schedule an annual mammogram every one to two years
- Pap test: once every five years with an HPV test
- Cholesterol: get tested regularly if you are at risk for heart disease
- Colorectal cancer: beginning at age 50, speak with your doctor about which test is best for you and how
often you should have it - Diabetes: if your blood pressure is higher than 135/80 or you take medicine for high blood pressure, get screened for diabetes
Age 65 and older:
- Blood pressure: every two years if normal or once a year or more if high
- Osteoporosis: have this test at least once, then speak with your doctor about repeat testing
- Breast cancer: get screened every two years until the age of 74, then speak with your doctor
- Pap test: speak with your doctor
- Cholesterol: get tested regularly if you are at risk for heart disease
- Colorectal cancer: screen for this disease through age 75; speak with your doctor about which test to get
and how often - Diabetes: if your blood pressure is higher than 135/80 or you take medicine for high blood pressure, get screened for diabetes