From the National Women's Health Information Center

Your Role in Disease Prevention

Getting regular checkups, preventive screening tests, and immunizations are among the most important things you can do for yourself. Take time to review these guidelines for screening tests. Then, become a partner with your doctor or nurse to decide when you need your screenings and immunizations. Share your family history, speak up, voice your concerns, and always ask questions. For instance, if your doctor or nurse asks you to increase the amount you exercise, ask for examples of exercises that are best for you. If you are confused about how to do a breast self-exam, ask and practice until you understand and feel comfortable doing it. If you are wondering if you need certain screenings, ask your doctor or nurse. You owe it to yourself.

Screening Tests: What You Need And When

Full checkup, including height and weight: Discuss the timing with your health care professional

Thyroid (TSH) test: Discuss with your health care professional

HIV test: Women ages 18 to 64 should get this test at least once to find out their HIV status. Ask your health care professional if and when you need the test again. Women 65 and older should discuss with their health care professional.

Blood pressure: At least every two years

Cholesterol: Start at age 20; women 40 and older should discuss how often they need the test with a health care professional.

Bone density screening: Women ages 40 to 64 should discuss the timing of the test with a health care professional; women 65 and older should get a bone mineral density test at least once and talk to a health care professional about repeat testing.

Blood glucose test for diabetes: Women 18 to 39 should discuss the test with a health care professional; start testing at age 45 and repeat every three years.

Mammogram: Women 40 to 49 should discuss with a health care professional; women 50 and older should get a mammogram every two years and discuss with a health care professional.

Clinical breast exam: Discuss with a health care professional.

Pap test: Every one to three years if you have been sexually active or are older than 21. Women older than 65 should discuss with a health care professional.

Pelvic exam: Yearly beginning at age 21. Women younger than 21 who are sexually active should discuss the test with a health care professional.

Chlamydia test: Women should get the test yearly starting at age 21. Women older than 26 should get this test if they have new or multiple partners.

Sexually transmitted infections: Both partners should get tested for STIs, including HIV, before initiating sexual intercourse.

Mental health screening: Discuss with your health care professional.

Colorectal health: Screening should begin at age 50 using one of three tests:

Skin health: Monthly mole self-exam; exam by a health care professional as part of a rountin full checkup starting at age 20.

Screening Test Checklist

Take this checklist with you to your doctor's office and fill it out when you have had any of the tests listed below. Talk to your doctor about when you should have these tests next, and note the month and year in the right-hand column.

Also, talk to your doctor about which of the other tests listed below you should have in the future, and when you need them.

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