Health Screenings for Women Age 65 and Over
Even if you feel well, you should visit your provider for regular checkups. These visits can help you avoid future health problems. For example, the only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly. High blood sugar and cholesterol levels also may not have any symptoms in the early stages. A simple blood test can detect these conditions.
You should visit your healthcare provider from time to time, even if you are healthy. The purpose of these visits is to:
-Detection of medical problems
-Assess your risk of future medical problems
-Encourage a healthy lifestyle
-Update vaccines
-Help you get to know your provider in case of illness.
There are specific times when you should consult your provider. Below are screening guidelines for women age 65 and older.
BLOOD PRESSURE ANALYSIS
-Check your blood pressure at least once a year. If the top number (systolic number) is between 120 and 139 or the bottom number (diastolic number) is between 80 and 89 mm Hg or higher, have it checked every year.
-If the top number is 130 or more or the bottom number is 80 or more, schedule an appointment with your provider to learn how you can lower your blood pressure.
-If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to check your blood pressure more often, but still, at least once a year.
BREAST CANCER SCREENING
-Women can do a monthly breast self-exam. However, experts disagree about the benefits of breast self-exams for detecting breast cancer or saving lives. Talk to your provider about what's best for you.
-Women up to 75 years of age should have a mammogram every 1 or 2 years, depending on their risk factors, to detect breast cancer.
-Experts disagree about the benefits of having a mammogram for women age 75 and older. Some people don't recommend having mammograms after this age. Others recommend mammography for women in good health. Talk to your provider about what's best for you.
CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING
-After age 65, most women who haven't been diagnosed with cervical cancer or pre-cancer can stop having a Pap smear as long as they have had three negative tests in the past 10 years.
CHOLESTEROL SCREENING AND HEART DISEASE PREVENTION
-If your cholesterol level is normal, check it again at least every 5 years.
-If you have high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be checked more often.
COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING
Until age 75, you should be screened for colorectal cancer regularly. If you are 76 years of age or older, you should ask your doctor if you should be screened. There are several tests available for the detection of colorectal cancer:
-A fecal occult blood test (based on feces) every year
-A fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year
-A DNA stool test every 3 years
-Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
-Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years
-CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years
-Colonoscopy every 10 years
You may need a colonoscopy more often if you have risk factors for colon cancer, including:
-Ulcerative colitis
-Personal or family history of colorectal cancer
-History of growths called adenomatous polyps
DENTAL EXAM
-Go to the dentist once or twice a year for an exam and cleaning. Your dentist will evaluate if you need more frequent visits.
DIABETES TEST
-If you are 65 or older and in good health, you should be screened for diabetes every 3 years.
-If you are overweight and have other risk factors for diabetes, ask your provider if you should be screened more often.
EYE EXAM
-Have an eye exam every 1 or 2 years.
-Get an eye exam at least once a year if you have diabetes.
HEARING TEST
-Get your hearing tested if you have symptoms of hearing loss.
IMMUNIZATIONS
-If you're over 65, get pneumococcal vaccines.
-Get a flu shot every year.
-Get a tetanus and diphtheria booster every 10 years.
-You can get a shingles or shingles vaccine at age 50 or older.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE TEST
-The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force UU. It recommends screening for hepatitis C. Depending on your lifestyle and medical history, you may need to be tested for infections such as syphilis, chlamydia, and HIV, as well as other infections.
You should get an annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) if:
LUNG CANCER SCREENING
You should get an annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) if:
-He's over 55 years old AND
-You have a smoking history of 30 packs per year AND
-You currently smoke or have stopped smoking in the last 15 years.
OSTEOPOROSIS TEST
-All women over 64 should undergo a bone density test (DEXA scan).
-Ask your provider what exercises or other interventions can help prevent osteoporosis.
PHYSICAL EXAM
-Have an annual physical exam.
-With each exam, your provider will check your height, weight, and body mass index (BMI).
-Routine diagnostic tests are not recommended unless your provider detects a problem.
During the exam, your provider will ask you questions about:
-Your medications and risk of interactions
-Consumption of alcohol and tobacco
-Diet and exercise
-Safety, such as the use of a seat belt
-If you have had falls
-Depression
SKIN EXAM
-Your provider can examine your skin for signs of skin cancer, especially if you're at high risk.
-People at high risk include those who have had skin cancer before, have close relatives with skin cancer, or have a weakened immune system.
Source: Medlineplus.gov
