As mothers, aunts, grandmothers, and women in general we live a busy life. It can be very easy for us to let essential health screenings fall by the wayside. When in fact they often save our lives. Read on to learn more about a roadmap for essential health screenings: which ones, how often, and their importance.
Let’s first make a list of the most important health screening before we break them down:
- Mammogram/Breast Exam
- Pap Smear
- Yearly check up with general family doctor
- Colonoscopy
- Bone density and thyroid panel
- Cardiac calcium scoring
- Hearing test
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s screening
- Eye exam
So what do all of these entail and when should you get them?
- Every year you should have a comprehensive physical and mental health exam.
- Blood pressure, height, weight, BMI
- Breast self-exam
- Cardiovascular evaluation
- Skin cancer screening
- HPV test
- Depression screening
- Self-breast exam
- Every two years starting in your twenties one should begin:
- Blood glucose tests
- Eye exam
- Pap Smear tests
- Every five years
- Cholesterol
Once you are in your forties it is time to get a yearly mammogram and every five years a colonoscopy. These are two potential life-saving screenings.
- Early and often self-breast exams and yearly mammograms allow for early detection which studies show has a higher success rate for being cured or remission.
- Pap tests and colonoscopies also allow early detection for potential treatable cancer.
Once you are in your 50s and 60s it is important to begin screenings for dementia, hearing abilities, bone densities, and thyroid panel.
Connect with local professionals who care. Reach out to Trinity Health Systems Twin City today to learn more about services designed to keep you and your family healthy! Phone: (740) 922-2800