OlderWiserWomen™ recommends that all women see their primary health care providers on a regular basis. It just plain makes good sense.
There are several published screening guidelines available. As with many things, they don't all agree. What follows is a common sense approach. Of course, all this will vary depending upon your family history as well as your own personal health challenges. In other words, these are general recommendation and not specific recommendations.
| Area |
Screening Test |
Ages 40-49 |
Ages 50-64 |
Ages 65+ |
| General Health |
Full check up including weight and height |
Discuss with your health care provider |
Discuss with your health care provider |
Discuss with your health care provider |
| Metabolic Concerns |
Thyroid Test |
Every 5 years |
Every 5 years |
Every 5 years |
| |
Glucose |
Recommendations say every 3 years...but I recommend annual with a 2 hour glucose tolerance test if you are at risk for diabetes or metabolic syndrome |
Recommendations say every 3 years...but I recommend annual with a 2 hour glucose tolerance test if you are at risk for diabetes or metabolic syndrome |
Recommendations say every 3 years... but I recommend annual with a 2 hour glucose tolerance test if you are at risk for diabetes or metabolic syndrome |
| Heart Health |
Blood Pressure |
Every 1-2 years |
Every 1-2 years |
Every 1-2 years |
| |
Cholesterol Panel (this is a fasting test) |
Every 5 years unless your history dictates otherwise |
Every 5 years unless your history dictates otherwise |
Every 5 years unless your history dictates otherwise |
| Bone Health |
Bone Mineral Density Test for Osteoporosis |
Depends upon your history |
Depends upon your history |
Baseline at age 65 if you have not had one, then varies |
| Oral Health |
Dental/Oral Exam |
1-2 times per year |
1-2 times per year |
1-2 times per year |
| Reproductive Health |
Pap Test (screens for cervical cancer only) |
Every 1-3 years after 3 consecutive test (depending on history |
Every 1-3 years after 3 consecutive test (depending on history |
Every 1-3 years after 3 consecutive test (depending on history |
| |
Pelvic Exam |
No standard recommendation. Makes sense to me to have done at least every 1-2 years to screen for problems other than cervical cancer |
No standard recommendation. Makes sense to me to have done at least every 1-2 years to screen for problems other than cervical cancer |
No standard recommendation. Makes sense to me to have done at least every 1-2 years to screen for problems other than cervical cancer |
| |
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI's) |
Annual or as needed: If you have multiple sexual partners or a partner with multiple partners or a partners with an STI or sexual contact with STI's or a personal history of STI's. |
Annual or as needed: If you have multiple sexual partners or a partner with multiple partners or a partners with an STI or sexual contact with STI's or a personal history of STI's. |
Annual or as needed: If you have multiple sexual partners or a partner with multiple partners or a partners with an STI or sexual contact with STI's or a personal history of STI's. |
| Breast Health |
Breast Exam |
Yearly by a health care provider, monthly self exam |
Yearly by a health care provider, monthly self exam |
Yearly by a health care provider, monthly self exam |
| |
Mammogram |
Every 1-2 years depending on your history/risk factors |
Yearly |
Yearly |
| Colorectal health |
Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) |
|
Yearly |
Yearly |
| (sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy |
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy |
|
Every 5 years |
Every 5 years |
| |
Colonoscopy |
|
Every 10 years |
Every 10 years |
| |
Rectal Exam (usually done with pelvic exam) |
see pelvic exam |
see pelvic exam |
see pelvic exam |
| Eye & Ear Health |
Vision Exam with an eye care provider |
Every 2-4 years depending on your health |
Every 2-4 years depending on your health |
Every 2-4 years depending on your health |
| |
Hearing Test |
Every 10 years |
To be determined by your needs |
To be determined by your needs |
| Skin Health |
Mole Exam |
Monthly mole self exam; by a health care provider every year |
Monthly mole self exam; by a health care provider every year |
Monthly mole self exam; by a health care provider every year |
| Mental Health Screening |
|
To be determined by your needs |
To be determined by your needs |
To be determined by your needs |
| Immunizations |
Influenza |
Yearly |
Yearly |
Yearly |
| |
Pneumococcal vaccine (aka, pneumonia shot) |
|
|
One time only at age 65. Prior to then depending on your health |
| |
Tetanus Booster |
Every 10 years |
Every 10 years |
Every 10 years |
In today's world, it's necessary for OlderWiserWomen™ to make the standard legal disclaimer:
This is for informational purposes only,and doe snot replace consultation with a medical provider who will take into consideration your personal history, family history, and risk factors. The FDA has not reviewed or sanctioned any recommendations for herbal or nutritional products and supplements that might be recommended.
