Screening Tests for Women - When and Why?
Being proactive about your own health is the need of hour in this busy life. Women should take charge of their own medical needs and visit healthcare providers for their preventive health screenings regularly.
We have collated a comprehensive (not exhaustive) list of tests every woman should undergo on a periodic basis.
General Health
| What | When | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Physical examination | Every 1-2 years | To screen for any diseases; assess risk for future; discuss lifestyle habits. |
| Thyroid test (TSH, T3, T4) | Once in 3-4 years | To identify an under/overactive thyroid, both of which can lead to serious conditions if left untreated. |
Bone Health
| What | When | Why |
|---|---|---|
| BMD or bone mineral density test | At least once beginning at age 58; even earlier depending on risk factors for osteoporosis. | There are no noticeable symptoms of osteoporosis until there is a fracture in bone due to a sudden fall or trauma. Bone density screenings spots problems early and enables to begin treatment and prevent further bone loss. |
Breast Health
| What | When | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mammogram | Every 1-2 years starting at age 50. | To pick smallest of the cancerous lesions in breast. |
| Sono-mammogram | Every 1-2 Years, starting at age 40. | To pick breast cancers still at very early stage. |
| Clinical breast exam | Every 2-3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and above. | A good clinical breast exam can also help identify cancers early. |
Diabetes
| What | When | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fasting blood glucose test | Every three years starting at age 40; more often or earlier if you are at risk for diabetes or overweight | To provide early detection of high blood sugar levels, which could mean increased risk for diabetes |
Heart Health
| What | When | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure screening | Once in year after 30 | Itis the only way to identify hypertension |
| Cholesterol screening | Every 5 years starting at 35. Begin screening early if you smoke, have diabetes, high blood pressure, are obese or have a family history of heart disease. | Treating high cholesterol can help reduce risk of heart disease |
Reproductive/Sexual Health
| What | When | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pap smear test | Women between 21-65 yrs - every 3-5 years Women - 21-30 - every 3 years Women over 30 should get a combined Pap test and HPV test every 5 yearsScreening may be stopped for women over age 65 | Helps women identify risk for developing cervical cancer. |
| STD - Sexually transmitted disease screening | All sexually active women and their partners should be tested for HIV and other STDs regularly | Prevents spread of HIV and other STDs |
A woman wears many hats, have numerous roles to play and the beauty is that she fits in each one of them so PERFECTLY!!
Sadly, she is not as proactive about her own health as she is about her family's needs.
Every woman should undergo regular preventive health checkups, not once but year on year.
Every woman should follow healthy habits such as eating a well-balanced diet, regular exercise, etc. Apart from these habits, scheduling routine health examinations and screenings is also vital. These tests can detect potential health problems. Indus Health Plus offers a master health checkup package which offers a detailed analysis of your body and health status. To know more about us, fill up the form and connect with us.
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