Screening tests women should know about

Cholesterol

·         Ages 20 and older: Get a cholesterol test regularly if you are at increased risk for heart disease. Ask your doctor how often you need your cholesterol tested.

Diabetes

·         Ages 18 and older: Get screened for diabetes if your blood pressure is higher than 135/80 or if you take medicine for high blood pressure

Blood pressure test

·         Ages 18 and older: Get tested at least every two years if you have normal blood pressure (lower than 120/80). Get tested once a year if you have blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89. Discuss treatment with your doctor if you have blood pressure 140/90 or higher.

Osteoporosis (Bone mineral density test)

·         Ages 18-49: Not recommended. 

·         Ages 50-64: Discuss with your doctor if you are at risk of osteoporosis.

·         Ages 65 and older: Get this test at least once at age 65 or older. Talk to your doctor or nurse about repeat testing.

Cancer

Breast cancer (mammogram)

·         Ages 18-39: Not recommended.

·         Ages 40-49: Discuss with your doctor.

·         Ages 50-64: Starting at age 50, get screened every two years.

·         Ages 65 and older: Get screened every two years through age 74. Age 75 and older, ask your doctor if you need to be screened.

Cervical cancer (Pap test)

·         Ages 18-39: Get a Pap test every three years if you are 21 or older and have a cervix. If you are 30 or older, you can get a Pap test and HPV test together every five years.

·         Ages 40-64: Get a Pap test and HPV test together every 5 years if you have a cervix.

·         Ages 65 and older: Ask your doctor if you need to get a Pap test.

Colorectal cancer (occult blood test, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy)

·         Ages 18-49: Not recommended.

·         Ages 50-64: Starting at age 50, get screened for colorectal cancer.

·         Ages 65 and older: Get screened for colorectal cancer through age 75.

Sexually transmitted infections

HIV

·         Ages 18-49: Get tested for HIV at least once. Discuss your risk with your doctor or nurse because you may need more frequent tests. All pregnant women need to be tested for HIV.

·         Ages 50-64: Get tested for HIV at least once.

·         Ages 65 and older: Get tested for HIV at least once if you are age 65 and have never been tested, or get tested if you are at increased risk for HIV.

Chlamydia

·         Ages 18-39: Get tested for chlamydia yearly through age 24 if you are sexually active or pregnant. Age 25 and older, get tested for chlamydia if you are at increased risk, pregnant or not pregnant.

·         Ages 40 and older: Get tested for chlamydia if you are sexually active and at increased risk, pregnant or not pregnant.

Gonorrhea

·         Ages 18-49: Get tested for gonorrhea if you are sexually active and at increased risk, pregnant or not pregnant.

·         Ages 50 and older: Get tested for gonorrhea if you are sexually active and at increased risk.

Syphilis

·         Ages 18-49: Get tested for syphilis if you are at increased risk or pregnant.

·         Ages 50 and older: Get tested for syphilis if you are at increased risk.