eHealth Connection
March 2007

Women, It’s Important to Care for Yourself Too

Women of all ages can improve and maintain their health with annual physical examinations and screening tests. Physical exams and screenings are an important part of good preventive care. Taking care of yourself should be a high priority for you and your family.

Screening is an important step to staying healthy. As you get older, your risk for certain medical conditions increases. Your physician should review your medical history and your family’s medical history to assess your risk for developing certain conditions. It’s also important to get your blood pressure and weight checked and screenings done for diabetes and cholesterol.

“Some women may need to get screening tests done earlier or more often if they have certain risk factors such as a family history of diabetes, heart disease or cancer,” points out Rosemarie Leuzzi, M.D., Medical Director of Cooper for Women. “The earlier a problem such as a malignancy is detected, the better the likelihood of an improved outcome.”

Your physician should be your trusted adviser to review your need for screening tests, as well as to talk about nutrition and exercise. Make a list prior to your appointment to remind you to discuss issues at the time of your appointment. Voice your concerns and feel free to ask questions. If you change doctors, be sure to request copies of your old records and testing to bring to your new physician. Your doctor is available to review health issues with you.

We have included a chart to help guide you, listing the various tests and the age at which you should get tested. The chart lists recommended screenings and immunizations based on women at average risk for diseases.

SCREENING TESTS AGES 18 - 39 AGES 40 - 49 AGES 50 - 64 AGES 65 & OLDER Heart Health: Blood pressure test Age 35, then every 2 years At least every 2 years Per your doctor Per your doctor Cholesterol Test Age 20, then per your doctor Per your doctor Per your doctor Per your doctor Bone Health: Bone density test Per your doctor Per your doctor Get a test at least once, then per your doctor Diabetes: Blood glucose test Per your doctor Age 45, then every 3 years Every 3 years Every 3 years Breast Health: Mammogram Every 1 – 2 years, then per your doctor Every 1 – 2 years, then per your doctor Every 1 – 2 years, then per your doctor Every 1 – 2 years, then per your doctor Reproductive Health: Pap test & pelvic exam Every 1 – 3 years Every 1 – 3 years Every 1 – 3 years Per your doctor Human papilloma virus vaccine (HPV) Age 9 – 26, per your doctor Per your doctor Per your doctor Colorectal Health: Fecal occult blood test Yearly Yearly Flexible sigmoidoscopy Every 5 years (if no colonoscopy) Every 5 years (if no colonoscopy) Colonoscopy Every 10 years Every 10 years Rectal exam Per your doctor Per your doctor Every 5 – 10 years Every 5 – 10 years Skin Health: Mole exam Monthly mole self-exam; by a doctor every 3 years Monthly mole self exam; by a doctor every year Monthly mole self exam; by a doctor every year Monthly mole self exam; by a doctor every year General Health: Mental health Per your doctor Per your doctor Per your doctor Per your doctor Thyroid test (TSH) Age 35, then every 5 years Every 5 years Every 5 years Every 5 years

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PRINT-QUALITY PDF OF THIS CHART

“Schedule annual physical examinations with your physician, and follow the guidelines recommended for screening tests,” Dr. Leuzzi says. “It is extremely important to pay attention to your health.”

For more information about Cooper for Women or to make an appointment with a Cooper University Hospital physician at an office near you, please call 1-800-8-COOPER (800-826-6737) to speak with a member of our physician referral and information service.