Are you up to date on all your tests? Do you even know what tests women in your age group should get? I’d bet most women would have to say no to both questions. That’s a real problem in my book!
That’s also why I talked to my friend and colleague Pam Peeke, MD to find out what women should think about in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. Here’s what she told me.
Twenties
You may feel too young to worry about health issues, but this is the perfect time to get your baseline readings for all critical tests. Baseline means it’s the starting point. It shows where your body is at when you are young and presumably in your best health. As you get older, these tests results will be incredibly valuable as a comparison if anything starts to go wrong. That’s why every woman should have a complete physical by age 21. Here’s what you need for blood tests:
• Cholesterol tests
• Liver/Kidney function tests
• Blood sugar tests
• Thyroid level tests
• Vitamin level tests – especially vitamins D and B12
In addition, every women should also have these physical exams:
• Gynecological tests - Get a baseline Pap test and tests for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Dr. Peeke says that more than 19 million people are diagnosed with STDs and over half of them are between the ages of 15 and 24. Make sure you get tested for HPV – it’s a leading cause of cervical cancer.
• Skin exam tests – Melanoma is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women ages 25-29. So don’t forget to schedule time for a visual exam of your skin to check for abnormal growths that could be the start of skin cancer.
• Weight tests – No matter what your body type is – thin, athletic or full – write down your waist size, weight and body mass index (BMI) and keep it as a baseline measure. These numbers will be important to track as you get older.
Thirties
Dr. Peeke says that women in this age group should repeat everything they had done in their 20s, with some additions.
• STD tests – Be sure to get tested for AIDS and chlamydia in addition to the tests you had in your 20s. Chlamydia is the most commonly reported sexually transmitted disease in the United States with over a million new cases diagnosed each year. Although it is easy to cure, chlamydia can make it difficult to get pregnant if it is not treated.
• Gynecological tests – Keep up with your Pap and pelvic exams and make sure you have a breast exam.
• Blood sugar tests – This test is even more important for this age group. Make sure you get your overall blood sugar level and your A1C level, which gives a better long-term view of your average blood sugar levels.
• Weight tests – Now is the time to start tracking your waist size, BMI and weight. As you head into your 40s and your hormone levels start to decline, the numbers you record now will give you valuable information about your health.
• Hormone tests – And speaking of hormones, now is the time to get a baseline reading of your hormone levels. You want to know your levels of estrogen, testosterone and progesterone as well as FSH and LH. As you get older your doctor will use these numbers to compare with your symptoms in menopause to help you decide whether hormone replacement could be right for you.
• Skin exams
• Dental tests – Don’t neglect your teeth and gums. A trip to the dentist can also provide screening for oral cancer and other possible problems.
• Eyes tests – Even if your vision is good, your ophthalmologist (eye doctor) will check for early signs of physical problems with your eyes that could affect your vision later.
Forties
This is the time when most women head into or arrive at menopause. Keep up with your health checks so you can anticipate what this “change” will mean for you.
• Weight checks – Even if your weight stays the same, it may start to redistribute to new locations on your body. Check your body mass percentage and watch your waist measurement. Too much body fat overall can increase your risk of breast cancer. Excess fat around your belly can increase your risk of diabetes, cancer and heart disease.
• Blood tests – Get them all done in your 40s and pay extra attention to your cholesterol. Also watch out for thyroid changes, especially if you have ever been pregnant.
• Mammogram tests – Some doctors recommend getting your first breast mammogram done at age 40, while others say you can wait until age 50. Dr. Peeke says it all comes down to your personal health and family history. If you have breast cancer in your family, get it done now. That is also her advice if your breasts are lumpy or if you have any other breast issues. Talk to your gynecologist now so you can decide together what timing is right for you.
Fifties
• Mammogram tests
• Colonoscopy tests – I am repeatedly amazed at how many women schedule this test for their husbands but not for themselves! This is a no-brainer in my book. Make time for yourself and get it done. Early detection means colon problems can easily be resolved. You owe it to yourself to take care of this now.
• Hormone level tests –Get your hormones checked and talk to your doctor to make an informed decision about what you can do to ease through menopause rather than suffering through it.
• Blood pressure checks
• Eye exams
• Hearing tests – Don’t risk missing out on anything you enjoy because you can’t hear. Get your hearing tested now and get help if you need it.
We women are so good at taking care of others but too often we forget to take care of ourselves. That’s part of the reason I love Women’s Health Week, which is May 11-17 this year. It’s a great annual reminder for all of us to all to get our annual exams and take better care of ourselves. Whenever you are reading this, now is the perfect time to get caught up. Take care of your health. Your family will thank you for it!