What Medical Test Should Women Over 40 Have? Let’s face it ladies, the older we are, the chance of disease increases. The great news is that when detected early, many diseases, including many early stages of cancer, can be treated effectively. For that reason, it is really important that we women over the age of 40 maintain good physical health with a well-balanced diet, exercising, AND receiving regular medical tests.
The type of recommended medical tests for women over 40 should have will depend on various circumstances, such as a family history of diseases. There are however some standard medical tests that most women over 40 should include:
Self Exams for Women Over 40
Breast self-exam: Thorough breast self-exams should be practised monthly to check for any breast or nipple changes that may indicate breast conditions or cancer. Sometimes lumps can be felt that are not detected by mammograms. Here is a great site that can guide you: Breast Self Exam
Skin self-exam: The skin and moles should be examined every month for any changes that may indicate skin cancer or other skin conditions.
Recommended Medical Tests for Women Over 40
Screening mammogram: A screening mammogram is an x-ray of the breast used to detect breast changes in women who have no signs or symptoms of breast cancer. It usually involves two x-rays of each breast. Mammograms make it possible to detect tumors that cannot be felt. Mammograms can also find micro calcifications (tiny deposits of calcium in the breast) that sometimes indicate the presence of breast cancer.
Pelvic exam: A physician-performed pelvic exam should be performed once a year to check for abnormalities in the size or shape of the uterus, vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, and rectum.
Pap smear: A physician-performed Pap smear should be administered once a year to screen for cervical cancer and other cervical abnormalities.
Clinical breast exam: A physician-performed clinical breast exam should be administered every year to help detect breast cancer.
Skin exam: A thorough skin exam should be performed by a physician every year to help detect changes that may indicate skin cancer or other skin conditions.
Blood pressure test: Blood pressure should be checked by a healthcare provider at least every two years. High blood pressure increases the risk for heart disease and stroke. This is an important medical test for women over 40 because coronary heart disease, which causes heart attack, is the leading cause of death for American women.
Eye exam: A thorough eye exam should be performed at least every one to two years after the age of 40 and then every year after age 60 to check for diseases such as glaucoma.
Diabetes test: A fasting plasma glucose diabetes test should be performed every three years to detect diabetes for women 40 and over.
Cholesterol test: A cholesterol blood test should be performed at least every five years. High LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, high total cholesterol levels or low HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
FSH test: An FSH test may be performed to determine whether a woman in her 40’s is close to or has reached menopause.
Checking Your Immunizations: Ask your doctor if you need a tetanus booster shot, and whether you should consider a flu shot.
Keep in mind that in addition to these recommended medical tests for women over 40 and over, your doctor may suggest additional tests based on your own personal medical record.
Print out the Check-list of Medical Tests For Women Over 40 before you go to your doctor:
| Check-list of Medical Tests For Women Over 40 | ||
| Recommended Medical Tests For Women 40 Years Old And Over | ||
| To Do | Done | Medical Test |
| Screening Mammogram | ||
| Pelvic Exam | ||
| Pap Smear | ||
| Clinical Breast Exam | ||
| Blood Pressure Test | ||
| Skin Exam | ||
| Eye Exam | ||
| Diabetes Test | ||
| Cholesterol Test | ||
| FSH Test | ||
| Immunizations | ||