One of the best things you can do for yourself as a woman is go for regular checkups with your doctor. Far too many of us only go to the doctor when something is wrong, and by then it could be too late to deal with any problems that you may have. Below are some of the checkups that you should be working into your life. If it has been a while since you have had some of these tests, you should make an appointment to talk with your doctor as soon as you can.
Bone-Mineral Density
A bone-mineral density test can let women know if they are at risk for osteoporosis. It is recommended that you go for this test starting at age 65, and then every few years after that. Osteoporosis is the weakening of the bones, and it is very common among older people. It is especially prevalent among women, with 80 percent of diagnosed cases being female. It is also recommended that if you are under 127 pounds at the time of menopause, that you should start getting tested then. Lastly, if you have a history of osteoporosis in your family, it is a good idea to get tested earlier than age 65.
Breast Exams
Starting at age 20, your doctor should routinely give you breast exams. Once you hit age 40, you should also start getting mammograms once per year. Early detection is one of the best ways to prevent breast cancer from spreading, making it essential that you are checked regularly.
Gynecologist
Gynecologists such as Dr. David Ghozland recommend that women receive annual “well-women” visits. These are visits that are focused on prevention and cover a wide range of areas. Visits to your gynecologist can provide you with the following: cancer prevention screenings, treatment for STDS, advice on birth control, pregnancy advice, and additional screenings. All of this is done to ensure there are no problems that you are not aware of.
Lipid Profile
A lipid profile is one of the best ways to track how much risk you are at for heart disease. Even if you do not have a family history for heart disease, it is a good idea to have a lipid profile performed every once in a while. You should get your first test starting at around age 20, and if your results are normal, you should go every 5 years after that. Once you hit age 45, you should be getting this test annually. This also goes for if you have a family history of heart disease, or if your total cholesterol is over 200. For more information about a lipid profile, you can visit this link.
Colonoscopy
Lastly, a colonoscopy is essential if you want to detect colorectal cancer in its early stages. Detected early, this cancer is almost 90 percent curable. You should get your first test starting at age 50, unless you have a history of colon cancer in your family, in which case you should start going around the age of 40. If everything comes back okay, then you only need to do this test once every few years.
Don’t Wait For Something To Go Wrong
Many diseases are treatable if they are caught early. The key to doing this is regular checkups and exams that can reveal early signs of problems. As always, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor and see what they say. They will be able to give you a more comprehensive plan on what tests you should be getting, and when you should be getting them. Together, you can ensure that you are getting all the right tests, and making sure that any potential problems do not grow into something larger.