Health Screenings Guide for Women at Every Age

We monitor a lot of things in our lives, from our spending habits to the next time our car needs an oil change. It seems obvious that we should monitor our health in the same way. Yet, health screenings are frequently put on the back burner for a number of reasons. One of the most common reasons is the confusion as to which tests are necessary at each age. Catawba Valley Health System (CVHS) is here to guide you with a screening checklist for women, categorized by age. Read the list below to learn what screenings are essential for your long-term wellbeing and how frequently they should be performed:

Women Aged 18-39*

• Full Checkup with Height, Weight, Skin and Pelvic Exams at least every 3 years

• Blood Pressure Check yearly

• Blood Tests for Diabetes, Cholesterol, and Kidney at least every 3 years

• Women should be familiar with their breasts and report changes promptly to their healthcare provider

• Women aged 21-29 should have Pap Smears every 3 years; women 30-39 should have a Pap Smear and HPV Test every 5 years or a Pap Smear every 3 years

• Sexually Transmitted Diseases – both partners should get tested, including HIV before initiating sexual intercourse

• Eye and Ear Exams, if problems occur

• Dental Exam is recommended 1 to 2 times a year

• Tetanus-Diphtheria Booster every 10 years

• Influenza Vaccine annually

• If not previously vaccinated, women up to 26 should receive the HPV vaccine

Women Aged 40-49*

• Full Checkup with Height, Weight, Skin and Pelvic Exams at least every 2 years

• Blood Pressure Check yearly

• Blood Tests for Diabetes, Cholesterol, and Kidney at least every 2 years

• Women should be familiar with their breasts and report changes promptly to their healthcare provider

• Clinical Breast Exam yearly

• Mammograms every other year based on patient’s risk factor

• Pap smears and HPV test every 5 years or a Pap Smear every 3 years

• Colorectal Screening, discuss with MD if you have a family history

• Sexually Transmitted Diseases, both partners should get tested, including HIV before initiating sexual intercourse

• Eye (including Glaucoma Screening if you have family history or if you are African-American) and Ear Exams every 2-4 years

• Dental Exam 1 to 2 times a year

• Tetanus-Diphtheria Booster every 10 years

• Influenza Vaccine annually

Women Aged 50-64*

• Full Checkup yearly

• Blood Pressure Check yearly

• Blood Tests for Diabetes, Cholesterol, and Kidney yearly

• Women should be familiar with their breasts and report changes promptly to their healthcare provider

• Mammograms every other year

• Pap smears and HPV test every 5 years or a Pap Smear every 3 years

• If a long-term smoker, discuss benefits/risk of lung cancer screening with physician

• Colorectal Screening: Colonoscopy every 10 years, FiOBT every year, Cologuard every 3 years, virtual colonoscopy every 5 years or flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years.

• Sexually Transmitted Diseases, both partners should get tested, including HIV before initiating sexual intercourse

• Eye (including Glaucoma Screening if you have family history or if you are African-American) and Ear Exams every 2-4 years

• Shingrix vaccine for Shingles

• Eye (including Glaucoma Screening if you have family history or if you are African-American) and Ear Exams every 2-4 years

• Dental Exam 1 to 2 times a year

• Tetanus-Diphtheria Booster every 10 years

• Influenza Vaccine yearly

Women Aged 65 and Older*

• Full Checkup with Height, Weight, Skin and Pelvic Exams yearly

• Blood Pressure Check yearly

• Blood Tests for Diabetes, Cholesterol, Kidney and Thyroid Dysfunction yearly

• Women should be familiar with their breasts and report changes promptly to their healthcare provider

• Clinical Breast Exams yearly

• Mammograms every other year to age 75, then optional

• If a long-term smoker, discuss benefits/risk of lung cancer screening with physician

• Colorectal Screening: Colonoscopy every 10 years, FiOBT every year, Cologuard every 3 years, virtual colonoscopy every 5 years or flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years.

• Sexually Transmitted Diseases, both partners should get tested, including HIV before initiating sexual intercourse

• Eye (including glaucoma screening) and Ear Exams every 1-2 years

• Prevnar 13 one time at age 65 and Pnuemovax 23 one year later

• Dental Exam 1 to 2 times a year

• Tetanus-Diphtheria Booster every 10 years

• Influenza Vaccine yearly

CVHS encourages women to make time for screenings at all ages, as they are essential for disease prevention and early detection. These screening suggestions are general guidelines and should not take the place of a consultation with your physician. Contact your physician today to build a customized plan for your individual screening needs. If you do not have a physician, you can search the Catawba Valley Medical Group practices at cvmgonline.org.

*National Comprehensive Cancer Network are the guidelines adopted by Catawba Valley Health System's Community Comprehensive Cancer Program