A woman experiences lot of changes in her body throughout various stages of life like puberty, childbearing years, menopause. It’s important for women to get regular medical checkups and screenings to stay healthy and spot signs of serious diseases and conditions at an earlier stage.
Women are recommended to have a general check-up with their physician every year. This involves talking to the doctor about medical history, family’s history of disease and lifestyle choices, such as diet, activity levels & habits like smoking or alcohol consumption.
Many diseases such as cardiovascular (heart) disease, diabetes and some cancers can be picked up in their early stages, when treatment is often more effective.
Here are few essential tests that every woman should get done as a part of regular health checkup:
1. Blood Pressure Screening
The American Heart Association (AHA) says that if the blood pressure is below 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), which is the ideal reading, one should have it checked at least once every two years, starting at age 20. For adults ages 40 or older or for those with conditions like obesity that put them at increased risk for hypertension, annual screening is recommended.
2. Cholesterol Check
This tool is used to assess risk for developing heart disease or stroke. For age 20 or older, one should have the cholesterol measured at least once every five years, according to the National Institutes of Health. The total cholesterol levels should ideally be less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl); a borderline high reading is between 200 and 239 mg/dl. If risk for heart disease or stroke is present, a plan with the doctor for frequency of this blood test should be made.
3. __ Thyroid Function Test
The thyroid gland helps produce two important hormones called Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3), both of which help regulate metabolism in the body. When the thyroid hormone levels drop (hypothyroidism), metabolism can slow down and cause body function to slow. This, in turn, can cause fatigue, dry skin, and weight gain, amongst many other symptoms. An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), on the other hand, can cause the heart to beat abnormally fast, cause anxiety, weight loss, and difficulty sleeping, amongst other symptoms. In case of altered levels, one should get the test done every 6 weekly. Once the levels normalize, tests can be done once annually.
4. Pap Smears
Beginning at age 21 years and until 65 years, one should have a Pap smear every three years. In the Pap smear, a speculum is used to widen the vaginal canal, cells from the cervix are collected with a small brush, and examined for changes that may lead to cervical cancer. For women aged 30 years or older, the test can be done every five years in combination with screening for Human Papilloma Virus, which is a Sexually Transmitted Disease that can lead to cervical cancer.
5. Genetic Screening & Mammogram
Genetic testing may be recommended if there is a positive family history of breast or ovarian cancer. The cancer linked gene variants include the well-kno wn BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations linked to breast cancer.
A mammogram screens for breast cancer which involves compressing the breast between plates so that X-ray images can be captured. Recent guidelines recommend that women should have a mammogram every two years. The American Cancer Society, however, says that women should start annual screenings at age 45 years, and can then switch to a biannual mammogram at age 55 years. If family history of the disease is present, annual screening may be required at an earlier age.
6. Bone Density Screening
Women should start getting screened for osteoporosis with a bone density test at age 65 years. Those with risk factors for osteoporosis, such fractures or low body weight, should be screened earlier. For this a test, called DEXA scan is done. It is a low-dose X-ray machine that captures images of the bones while the patient lies on the table.
7. Blood Glucose Tests
Starting around age 45 years, women should get a blood glucose test every three years to check for diabetes or prediabetes. The range for normal tests can vary, but a fasting plasma glucose test reading of 100 mg/dl or higher, says the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, indicates that one may be prediabetic, while a reading greater than 126 mg/dl indicates diabetes. If one is obese, or has a family history of diabetes, earlier and more often screenings may be required.
8. Colon Cancer Screening
Colon cancer screening should start at age 50 years. Either a sigmoidoscopy, in which a lighted tube and camera are inserted in the anus or a colonoscopy, in which a longer tube examines the entire colon is advised. Unless a problem is found or one is at a greater risk of colon cancer, a sigmoidoscopy is repeated every 5 years, and a colonoscopy every 10 years.
9. Body Mass Index
Starting at age 18 years, adults should be screened for obesity, which usually requires having body mass index (BMI) calculated. BMI indicates whether or not one is obese, as obesity raises the risk of serious health problems like diabetes and heart disease.
10. Skin Examination
Women should examine their skin every month at home. Inspect the skin carefully & look for any new moles or changes to existing moles, which can be early signs of skin cancer.
11. Dental Checkup
Good dental health is important and all adult women must get their dental checkups done twice every year. Through regular dental checkups, which involve cleaning and examining the teeth, along with X-rays, they can spot early signs of decay and any other problems. Also, women who are planning for pregnancy should get their dental checkups done before conceiving as no dental treatments are advised to be done during the first trimester of pregnancy.
These tests will help in early diagnosis of diseases and prevention of complications, thus improving the quality of life of women.
References:
- 10 Health Screenings All Women Should Have | Everyday Health (no date). Available at: https://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health/10-screenings-all-women-should-have.aspx (Accessed: 21 March 2022).
- Health checks for women - Better Health Channel (no date). Available at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/health-checks-for-women (Accessed: 21 March 2022).
- Siu, A. L. (2016) ‘Screening for breast cancer: U.S. Preventive services task force recommendation statement’, Annals of Internal Medicine, 164(4), pp. 279–296. doi: 10.7326/M15-2886.
