For anyone out there who follows me regularly, you know that I recently had an angiogram as a follow-up screening to the brain aneurysm I had a few years back. Having such a serious health scare not only made me understand how fragile and special life is, but it was a wake-up call when it comes to taking care of my body. We each only have one life to live and making the most of it means keeping our bodies healthy, happy and prepared for a long, good life. As women, there are health screenings that should certainly be part of our annual check in’s – making sure each organ and body part is in tip top shape. From heart health to reproductive systems, here’s a roundup of health screenings every woman should be aware of.
Health Screenings Every Woman Should Be Aware Of
Blood glucose or blood sugar tests. In order to be sure you are not at risk for diabetes or pre-diabetes, a blood glucose test should be done every few years, starting at around age 45. Catching pre-diabetes early can often be treated by simple changes with diet and exercise.
Cholesterol. Starting at about age 20, having your cholesterol checked every few years is great for knowing whether you’re right on target or if it’s getting a bit too high. Your body should make all the cholesterol it needs and when it gets a bit high, it can put your heart at risk.
Breast exams and mammograms. Using his or her fingers to examine your breasts, your doctor will check for any abnormalities in the breast tissue when conducting a manual exam. This type of breast exam should start around age 20 and will happen annually or every few years. In addition, for any woman 40 and older, mammograms are done every couple of years to test for breast cancer.
Blood Pressure. This is something that’s checked almost every time you set foot into the doctors office – and for good reason. This helps ensure your heart is pumping and working exactly as it should be.
Skin exam. This one is best done by your dermatologist in order to ensure there are no moles or changes to existing moles that are cause for concern. A dermatologist can conduct a quick screening and test anything that looks like it might be a sign of early skin cancer.
Pelvic exam and Pap smear. Pelvic exams and pap smears both help to make sure there are no abnormalities with the reproductive system – essential for anyone who wants to have children. Typically, your doctor will give you a routine pelvic exam nearly every time you’re in for a visit, but pap smears are only done every few years or so.
Are you on top of all your health screenings?
