Women’s Health: Essential Screenings at Every Age

If you understand the importance of maintaining your health and well-being, you will attempt to eat a well-balanced diet, remain active, and take time to rest and relax - all while managing your everyday work and personal duties.

However, there is one more important aspect of your health and wellness regimen that you should include: maintaining women's preventive health screenings and care.

The good news is that most screenings are only needed once a year or less, depending on your overall health and risk factors. So, incorporating a visit with your primary care doctor into your hectic schedule may be easier than you realize. And the peace of mind and health benefits is worthwhile.

Getting tested early can help you avoid diseases like cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis when they are still treatable. Screening tests can detect illnesses even before they cause symptoms. The screening tests you need are determined by your age, family history, health history, and other risk factors.

1. Breast Cancer: The earlier you discover breast cancer, the greater your chances of a cure. Small breast cancers have a lower risk of spreading to lymph nodes and important organs such as the lungs or brain. If you are in your twenties or thirties, some experts recommend that your doctor perform a breast exam as part of your regular check-up every one to three years. If you have any additional risk factors, you may need to be screened more frequently.
   

2. Cervical Cancer: Cervical cancer is easily prevented. The cervix is a thin channel that connects the uterus (where the baby grows) and the vagina (the birth canal). Your doctor may use Pap smears and/or HPV tests to screen you. Pap smears detect abnormal cells on the cervix, which can be eliminated before they develop into cancer. The primary cause of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV), a form of STD.
   

3. Osteoporosis and Fractured Bones: Osteoporosis is a condition where a person's bones are weak and fragile. After menopause, women begin to lose bone mass, but men can also develop osteoporosis. The first sign is usually a painful break from a little fall, blow, or quick twist. In Americans aged 50 and up, the condition causes around half of the breaks in women and one in every four in males. Fortunately, osteoporosis can be prevented and treated.
   

4. Skin Cancer: There are various types of skin cancer, and early treatment can be successful for all. Melanoma is the most serious since it affects the cells that cause a person's skin color. People may have a hereditary predisposition for this type of cancer, which can worsen with excessive sun exposure. Non-melanoma skin cancers commonly occur as basal cells and squamous cells.
   

5. High Blood Pressure: Your chance of developing high blood pressure rises with age, particularly if you are overweight or have certain unhealthy habits. High blood pressure can induce sudden and fatal heart attacks or strokes. Working with your doctor to manage it can save your life. Lowering your blood pressure can also help you avoid long-term complications including heart disease and renal failure.
   

6. Cholesterol Levels: High levels of cholesterol in your blood can cause plaque to build up in your arteries. Plaque can continue to build up for decades without producing any symptoms in themselves. It can narrow the arteries, restricting blood flow to your heart, brain, or legs. In time, a heart attack or stroke may occur. Besides high cholesterol, other major risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking. This process is part of a condition called atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. You can reduce your risk with lifestyle changes and medications.
   

7. Type 2 Diabetes: One-third of Americans with diabetes are unaware of their condition. Diabetes can cause heart or renal disease, stroke, blindness due to retinal blood vessel damage, and other significant complications. Diabetes can be controlled with diet, exercise, weight loss, and medication, especially if diagnosed early. Type 2 diabetes is the most prevalent form of the illness. Type 1 diabetes is commonly diagnosed in children and young people.
   

8. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): HIV is the virus responsible for AIDS. It is transmitted by sharing blood or bodily fluids with an infected individual, such as unprotected sex or contaminated needles. HIV-positive pregnant women can infect their offspring. There is still no cure or vaccine for HIV, but early therapy with anti-HIV drugs can help the immune system fight the virus.
   

9. Colorectal Cancer: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death, following lung cancer. The majority of colon cancers are caused by polyps (abnormal lumps) that form on the large intestine's inner wall. Polyps may or may not be malignant. If they are, the cancer may spread to other areas of the body. Early removal of polyps, before they turn malignant, can fully avoid it.
   

10. Glaucoma: Glaucoma occurs when pressure builds up inside the eye. Without treatment, it can damage the visual nerve and result in blindness. Often, there are no signs until your vision has been compromised.

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