Health Screenings for Women

Women of all ages should visit their health care provider annually or more often, even if they are healthy. The purpose of these visits is to:

• Screen for medical issues
• Determine your risk for future medical problems
• Update your vaccinations
• Encourage a healthy lifestyle, like eating right and exercising
• Help you get to know your doctor in case you get sick

The risks and advantages of screening tests change as you age. Your doctor can help you decide which tests are best for you, based on your health care goals, personal and family health history, age and life expectancy.

Even if you feel healthy, you should still see your doctor or health care provider for regular checkups. These visits can help you avoid health problems in the future. For example, the only way you can find out if you have high blood pressure is to check it regularly. High blood sugar and high cholesterol also might not have any symptoms in the early stages. A simple blood test can check for them.

A well-woman exam is one of the most important things you can do — at any age — to protect your health. During this annual test, your doctor will examine you to determine your overall health, including specific exams for breast and gynecological diseases.

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The health screenings you need change as you age. Here’s a breakdown of recommended screenings by decade.

There are specific times when you should visit your doctor. Below are screening guidelines for women ages 18 to 39.

• Blood pressure screening
• Cholesterol screening
• Dental exam
• Diabetes screening
• Eye exam
• Immunizations
• Skin self-exam

Other Screenings

Talk with your provider about colon cancer screening if you have a strong family history of colon cancer or polyps, or if you have had inflammatory bowel disease or polyps yourself.

Routine bone density screening of women under 40 is not recommended.

If you’re in the 40-64 age range, these are your health screening guidelines

• Blood pressure screening
• Cholesterol screening
• Colorectal cancer screening starting at age 50; younger if you have a strong family history of colon cancer or polyps
• Dental exam
• Diabetes screening
• Eye exam
• Immunizations
• In-office breast exam
• In-office skin exam
• Lung cancer screening in adults 55+ who have a history of smoking
• Mammogram (guidelines vary by age, so talk with your doctor)
• Osteoporosis screening for women age 50+
• Pelvic exam and Pap smear
• Physical exam
• Skin self-exam

Here are the screening guidelines for women 65 and older:

• Blood pressure screening
• Cholesterol screening and heart disease prevention
• Colorectal cancer screen until age 75; after that, ask your doctor
• Dental exam
• Diabetes screening
• Eye exam
• Hearing test
• Immunizations
• In-office breast exam
• Lung cancer screening
• Mammograms until age 75; if you’re 76 or older, ask your doctor
• Osteoporosis screening
• Pelvic exam and pap smear until age 65; after that, women who haven’t been diagnosed with cervical cancer or precancer can stop having Pap smears as long as they’ve had three negative tests in the last 10 years
• Physical exam

If you don’t have a doctor, please contact Healthcare Coordination. Our friendly  specialists can help you find the right doctor for your needs. They can also help you:

• Make an appointment with one or more doctors over the phone or via Live Chat
• Share a list of accepted insurance
• Provide directions and parking information
• Share doctors’ office locations and hours
• Let you know which doctors are accepting new patients

Contact them at 865-305-6970, or via email at healthcoor@utmck.edu.