How to Make The Most of Your Doctor Visit for Women

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By abyssinia
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Checkup

There are preventive measures you can take at every stage of your life that will improve your chances of surviving a disease or decrease the likelihood of being ill in the first place. The following guide is based on the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Exercise
Eat right
No smoking

Step 1

In your 20s - Cervical cancer screening with pap smear, starting at age 21 or 3 years after initiation of sexual activity. Even though there is an FDA approved vaccine for cervical cancer, it does not replace the need to continue with your scheduled pap smear.
Hypertension screening- Blood pressure screening after age 18. About 30 percent of adults are not aware that they have high blood pressure. Systolic pressure (top number) between 120-139 and diastolic pressure (bottom number) between 80-89 is considered pre hypertension. Drug therapy is indicated for stage one and higher hypertension i.e. blood pressure greater than 140/90.
Chlamydial infection - screening is recommended for sexually active women 25 years and younger.
Step 2

In your 40s - Breast cancer screening - Mammogram with or without clinical breast exam every 1-2 years starting at age 40.
African-American women although have a lower incidence of breast cancer, they then tend to present with advanced stage of the disease and with a more aggressive type of cancer. It is imperative that minority women do not delay breast cancer screening after turning 40.
One easy way to remember to have your mammogram annually is to schedule the exam on your birthday month.
Lipid disorder - Cholesterol screening starting at age 45.
Step 3

In your 50s - Colorectal cancer screening starting at age 50. Since there are several screening tools available, discuss with your physician which one would be best for you.
Step 4

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In your 60s - Osteoporosis screening after age 65. Women who weigh less than 154 Lbs are considered at increased risk so screening should begin at age 60.
Caucasian women do have higher risk of developing osteoporosis. However, all women can be affected by it, therefore it's important to have adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D and perform weight-bearing exercises regularly.