Health Checklist for Women Over 40

Breast Cancer Screening

Procedure/test: What it does: Starting at age: How often: Date performed/results: Mammogram Checks for breast cancer 40 Annually Doctor's breast exam May detect breast cancers missed by mammography 20 Annually; Every three years for women 20-40

Cervical cancer screening (one of the following):

Procedure/test: What it does: Starting at age: How often: Date performed/results: Pap smear and pelvic exam Checks for cervical cancer 18 Annually, then every 2-3 years after three normal annual Pap smears in a row Pap smear plus HPV DNA test and pelvic exam Alternative, some experts recommend as more precise means to check for cervical cancer 30 Every three years

Colorectal cancer screening:

Procedure/test: What it does: Starting at age: How often: Date performed/results: Colonoscopy Outpatient procedure in which a doctor inserts a long, flexible instrument - about 1/2 inch in diameter - into the rectum to view the rectum and entire colon. Many experts say colonoscopy is the most accurate colon cancer screening 50 Every 10 years, more often for those with a family history or history of colon polyps. Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) Stool is tested for blood -- a possible sign of colorectal cancer 50 Annually (in combination with flexible sigmoidoscopy) Flexible sigmoidoscopy Outpatient procedure for examining the lower portion of the large intestine, called the sigmoid colon. A special instrument with a tiny camera attached is used. 50 Every 5 years (in combination with FOBT) Air-contrast barium enema Barium is given as an enema, and then air is blown in to make the barium spread over the lining of the colon, producing an outline of the colon on X-ray. This helps to reveal any irregularities in the lining, such as a polyp. 50 Every 5 years *Your doctor will pick which screening test is best for you.

Skin cancer screening:

Procedure/test: What it does: Starting at age: How often: Date performed/results: Total body skin exam Doctor examines your skin to detect precancerous and cancerous skin growths 50, or earlier for people with a family or personal history of skin cancer or with excessive sun exposure Annually

Heart disease screening:

Procedure/test: What it does: Starting at age: How often: Date performed/results: Blood cholesterol test Measures amount of total cholesterol, "bad" LDL, and "good" HDL cholesterol circulating in the blood. Levels of triglycerides, another blood fat, are also usually checked. 20 Every 5 years, or at your doctor's discretion Blood pressure check Measures blood pressure, an indicator of heart risk 18 At least every other year, more often if above normal Fasting plasma glucose Measures blood sugar, an indicator of diabetes risk 45 Every three years, or at your doctor's discretion

Eye disease screening:

Procedure/test: What it does: Starting at age: How often: Date performed/results: Glaucoma test Measures eye pressure and eye health 60 for normal, healthy adults; 40 for those with risk factors for glaucoma (family history,nearsightedness, diabetes, or African-American) Annually

Bone health:

Procedure/test: What it does: Starting at age: How often: Date performed/results: Bone mineral density test Used as an indicator of bone strength and osteoporosis risk 65 or around age of menopause; earlier for women with previous fragility fractures, family history of osteoporosis, on medications that cause bone loss, or have problems with calcium absorption. At your doctor's discretion

Thyroid health:

Procedure/test: What it does: Starting at age: How often: Date performed/results: Thyroid hormone test Blood test that determines whether thyroid gland is functioning properly 35 Every 5 years

Vaccines/immunizati ons:

Procedure/test: What it does: Starting at age: How often: Date performed/results: Tetanus booster Restores protection against tetanus infection Varies Every 10 years Pneumonia vaccine Provides lifelong protection against pneumonia 65 or earlier in people with risk factors, such as heart failure, lung disease, alcoholism, and others Once in a lifetime Influenza vaccine Provides protection against common influenza strains 50 or earlier Annually