Screenings for Women

Preventative Care

Women, Prioritize Your Well-Being

Whether you’re a businesswoman or busy mom, it’s important to know your latest numbers so you can live a full, healthy life.

Every woman should schedule an annual check-up at least once a year. As part of your well-woman exam, your provider will take your Foundational 4 numbers: body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose readings.

Depending on your age and medical history, your physician may recommend additional testing to catch potential health issues early.

Women's Health and Preventative Care

In your 20s

Your 20s are an exciting decade of exploration and growth. You may feel invincible, but starting healthy habits now will lay the groundwork for a lifetime of well-being.

Preventative Care Check List

Schedule an annual physical exam with your primary care physician to check important indicators of health over time, like blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels. Tell them if you have a family history of cardiovascular disease, cancer or diabetes.
See your gynecologist annually for a pelvic exam and a Pap smear to check that your cervix is healthy. Depending on your results, you may not need another Pap smear for three years. Discuss preconception concerns if you are considering becoming pregnant.
Begin performing monthly self-breast exams.
Stay up-to-date on vaccinations, including Tdap, flu and human papillomavirus (HPV).
Visit your dentist every six months.
Have your vision checked at least every two years.
See your dermatologist annually for a full-body exam.

What to Expect

Some weight gain compared to your teenage years is normal due to lifestyle factors and metabolism shifts. A healthy BMI is considered to be between 18.5 and 24.9.
Hormonal changes may lead to more painful period cramps. Menstrual cycles typically become more predictable, with increased vaginal discharge.
Hormonal fluctuations may also contribute to skin changes, such as increased acne and cellulite.
Increased sex drive is common.
You are at greater risk of developing autoimmune diseases and sexually transmitted diseases.

Wellness Tips

Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, protein, low-fat dairy products and whole grains.
Drink at least eight glasses of water daily.
Sleep seven to nine hours per night.
Limit alcoholic drinks to one or fewer per day.
Exercise for at least 30 minutes daily, including strength training.
Practice safe sex and use birth control if trying to prevent pregnancy.
Take 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid daily if pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
Wear sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
Talk to your primary care physician if you feel depressed or anxious, and ask them for a referral to a mental health professional.

Learn more about maintaining your health during every stage of life at wellstar.org/womenshealth.

In your 30s

During this stage, schedule regular health screenings and maintain healthy habits to help your mind and body stay strong as you age.

Preventative Care Check List

Schedule an annual physical exam with your primary care physician.
See your gynecologist annually for a pelvic exam and Pap smear. Depending on your results, you may not need another Pap smear for three years. Discuss preconception concerns if you are considering becoming pregnant.
Perform monthly self-breast exams.
If you’re at average risk of developing breast cancer, begin scheduling annual mammograms at age 40. If you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, your provider may recommend starting earlier and will help you create a screening plan.
Stay up-to-date on vaccinations, including Tdap, flu and human papillomavirus (HPV).
Visit your dentist every six months.
Have your vision checked at least every two years.
See your dermatologist annually for a full-body exam.

What to Expect

Muscle mass starts to decrease and metabolism slows down.
Bone loss begins to increase around age 35.
Wrinkles begin to develop due to a decrease in skin elasticity and firmness.
Gray hair begins to appear. Hair growth may increase in other areas of the body, such as the chin, lip and face.
Changes in mood may occur.
Fertility begins to decline in your 30s, with the decline accelerating around age 35.
A decline in hormones may lead to changes in your menstrual cycle, including heavier, longer and more painful periods.

Wellness Tips

Increase weight-bearing exercises and strength-training exercises to keep your muscles and bones strong.
Ensure your diet includes calcium, vitamin D and a wide range of healthy foods.
Sleep seven to eight hours per night.
Limit alcoholic drinks to one or fewer per day.
Manage stress through self-care, time management, strong support systems, community involvement and spending time in nature.
Develop a good skincare routine and continue to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
Maintain a healthy BMI between 18.5 and 24.9.

Learn more about maintaining your health during every stage of life at wellstar.org/womenshealth.

In your 40s

It’s easy to put your health on the back burner while juggling work and family responsibilities. But by prioritizing self-care in your 40s, you can thrive into your 50s and beyond.

Preventative Care Check List

See your primary care physician for a physical exam at least once per year, including annual wellness labs.
Ask your doctor if you need a heart screening (coronary artery calcium scoring).
See your gynecologist annually. You may have Pap smears less frequently.
Discuss perimenopause and menopause concerns with your care team.
Get your mammogram annually beginning at age 40.
Stay up-to-date on vaccinations.
Schedule a colonoscopy starting at age 45. Colonoscopies are the most common procedure to detect precancerous polyps and should be repeated every 10 years or sooner, depending on your personal and family history.
See your dermatologist annually for a full-body exam.

What to Expect

Blood vessels lose elasticity and the risk of heart disease increases.
Sunspots caused by excessive sun exposure may start to appear on the skin.
Pelvic floor strength decreases.
Periods may become less regular during perimenopause, which is the transition to menopause. Other common symptoms include hot flashes, trouble sleeping, hair loss, vaginal dryness and brain fog. Many symptoms are caused by a decrease in estrogen.
Eyesight diminishes. You may gradually lose the ability to focus on objects up close—a normal condition that occurs with age and can typically be corrected with reading glasses.

Wellness Tips

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a risk factor for both heart disease and stroke. Invest in a blood pressure cuff to routinely monitor your blood pressure levels at home.
Use lubricants to help with any vaginal dryness or discomfort.
Drink water to help prevent urinary tract infections.
Strengthen pelvic floor muscles with Kegel exercises.
Limit alcoholic drinks to one or fewer per day.
Boost brain function by solving crossword puzzles, reading books and engaging in other mentally stimulating activities.
Manage stress and improve mental health by incorporating mindfulness and relaxation practices.
Continue to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
Limit your intake of large amounts of sugar, salt and high-fat foods.
Maintain a healthy BMI between 18.5 and 24.9.

Learn more about maintaining your health during every stage of life at wellstar.org/womenshealth.

In your 50s

While you may feel anxious about reaching middle age, your future is bright. Continue to focus on wellness and maintaining your relationship with your care team to take charge of your health for decades to come.

Preventative Care Check List

Continue to see your primary care physician for a physical exam at least once per year. See additional specialists as needed.
Consider a bone mineral density test, since hormone changes during menopause can lead to osteoporosis.
Continue to see your gynecologist annually, even if you have gone through menopause.
Update vaccines as needed and add others, such as pneumococcal and shingles.
Visit your dentist every six months.
Have your vision checked annually.
See your dermatologist annually for a full-body exam.
Plan financially for retirement and beyond.
Secure your legacy by creating or updating your will, completing an advance directive and making sure your loved ones know your wishes.
See your dermatologist annually for a full-body exam.

What to Expect

Weight gain often continues until around age 65.
Skin dryness may increase along with wrinkles, age spots and bruising.
Hearing loss may increase.
You are at greater risk of developing certain eye diseases, such as cataracts, dry eye and glaucoma.
You are at greater risk of vascular disease due to an increase in blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Your immune system begins to slow, making it more challenging to fight infections.
Dry mouth may occur due to certain health conditions and as a common side effect of many medications.
Brain fog and memory loss may increase due to a decline in estrogen levels.

Wellness Tips

Continue walking daily and incorporate cardio and flexibility exercises.
Discuss advance care planning, or your advance directive, to make informed decisions about your future medical care.
Monitor your blood pressure at home in addition to regular preventative well checks.
Make sure your home is safe for senior living and minimizes fall risk.
Participate in social activities and obtain resources for senior and community involvement.
Consider calcium supplements to help with bone loss.
Limit alcoholic drinks to one or fewer per day.
Continue to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
Engage in mentally stimulating activities and exercises daily.
Maintain a healthy BMI between 18.5 and 24.9.

Learn more about maintaining your health during every stage of life at wellstar.org/womenshealth.
Find the resources you need to create the advance care plan that’s right for you at wellstar.org/advancecareplanning.

Types of Screenings

Lung Cancer Screening

Lung cancer kills more women than breast cancer, ovarian cancer and cervical cancer combined. Wellstar’s lung cancer screening program is a national leader in early detection. Our low-dose CT scans help detect early-stage lung cancer when it is often easier to treat than later-stage cancers. Screening is recommended for people who are most likely to develop lung cancer. This may include current and past smokers and those exposed to harmful, cancer-causing agents, including radon, arsenic, asbestos, diesel fuels, silica and Agent Orange. There are pros and cons to screening, so speak with your provider about starting a screening program.

Breast cancer screening

Mammograms — or images of the breast — at regular intervals can help identify signs of cancer before symptoms appear, and can help catch cancer at the beginning stages.

Clinically proven to provide more accurate breast cancer screenings, 3D mammograms give clearer images of dense breast tissue than a traditional exam.

Wellstar provides screening mammograms for women who have no symptoms of breast cancer or abnormalities. Diagnostic mammograms are also available to evaluate a possible abnormality or for patients with a known issue, including a lump, focal pain, skin changes or nipple discharge.

Bone density screening

Half of all women over 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis, according to the US Surgeon General.

Wellstar uses an ultrasound measurement of the heel bone to determine if your bone density is normal. If your bone density is below regular levels, your physician can often slow or stop bone loss and prevent osteoporosis.

Cervical cancer screening

Prevention is the best protection against cervical cancer. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps prevent cervical cancer. It is recommended to give the vaccine to children around 11 or 12, but can be given as early as nine years of age.

Even some adults in their 30s and 40s may benefit from getting an HPV vaccine, so it’s important to talk to your provider about what’s right for you.

Women can also be screened for cervical cancer at regular intervals. The more traditional is a Pap smear, which looks for precancers, or cell changes on the cervix. The newer HPV test looks for HPV, a virus that can cause the cells to become cancerous.