Women’s Health: Essential Check-Ups and Screening
Women’s health is a life long journey and essential check-ups and screenings at every age are essential for maintaining well-being and preventing serious health issues. From adolescence to later years, different stages of life come with unique health risks and needs. Early detection through these screenings can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes, empowering women to take charge of their health and live longer and healthier life .
So let’s discuss preventive health check-ups and screenings that every woman should consider taking to stay healthy and safe from common health conditions.
1.Cervical Cancer Screening and HPV Tests – Cervical Cancer Screening start at the age of 21 unless your provider advises otherwise . This is mainly caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Regular screening tests for Women are important for spotting early signs of cervical cancer or diagnosing the condition at a precancerous stage. Some of the tests that are commonly used to screen for cervical cancer are mentioned below.
Pap Smear: The Pap smear, a simple cell swab from your cervix, is a must every three years from 21 to 29. Pap Smears find abnormal cells on the cervix , which can be removed before they ever turn into cancer. During a Pap Smear , the doctor scrapes some cells from your cervix and sends them to a lab for analysis. Detecting abnormalities early with a Pap smear makes treatment simpler and more effective, significantly reducing the risk of cervical cancer. The HPV test can be done independently or combined with a Pap smear (co-testing). Co-testing is beneficial because it checks for both the virus and any cell changes, providing a more comprehensive evaluation of cervical health. Finding high-risk HPV early allows for close monitoring and timely intervention if needed.
Pap smear tests come in various options:
- Pap plus HPV co-tests every five years.
- Pap tests should be taken every three.
- HPV testing after 30 helps spot the virus types that could lead to cervical cancer.
2. Breast Cancer Screening – Breast cancer is very common among Indian women. Finding it early makes treatment more effective and increases survival chances. Regular screenings can catch cancer at an early stage when it’s most treatable. Mammogram are low dose X- rays that can often find a lump before you ever feel it , though normal result’s don’t completely rule out cancer . Some experts recommend that while you are in your 40s you should have a mammogram every year . Earlier and more frequent mammograms may be recommended for women with a strong family history of breast cancer. Besides mammograms, women should check their breasts themselves every month. This involves looking for any changes, like lumps or unusual discharge. Breast self-exams (BSE) are not a replacement for mammograms but is an important extra step for early detection and health awareness.
3. Bone Density Test – Osteoporosis, which causes bones to become brittle, is a common concern for women, especially after menopause. Begin getting tested at age 50. Otherwise, the general guideline is to start by age 65 and repeat at least every three years. Early bone density screenings can help prevent serious complications like fractures and the need to undergo extensive surgical treatments later in life. A DEXA scan shows just how sturdy your bones are. The procedure is very simple and easy just you lie on a table while a low-dose X-ray machine captures images of your bones. Although X-ray levels are low. This scan is painless, takes between 10 and 30 minutes, and doesn’t require any special preparation.
4. Cholesterol Screening – Cholesterol screening should begin at age 45 for women with no risk factors and at 20 for those with risk factors. Risk factors include diabetes, heart or kidney disease and some other medical problems. Regular cholesterol tests help you monitor your levels and make changes if needed. This test measures the levels of various fats in your blood, including HDL (good) cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglycerides, which are essential for assessing heart health. You may need to fast for 9-12 hours beforehand to prepare. Regular lipid profile tests help monitor and manage cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease and maintaining cardiovascular health.
5. Diabetes Screening – Diabetes screenings begins at age 35 and should be repeated every three years if you have no risk factors for diabetes. Diabetes screens are blood tests, and there are three that are effective. One is a non-fasting test called hemoglobin A1C, which measures your average blood sugar over the past two to three months. Other screens involve testing blood sugar after an overnight fast or a glucose test that measures blood sugar after you drink a sugary substance. For most people, an HbA1c level below 5.7% is considered normal. Levels between 5.7% and 6.4% indicate pre-diabetes, and 6.5% or higher suggest diabetes. If you have a family history of diabetes, you should start testing sooner and do it more often.
6. Colon Cancer Screening – Colorectal Cancer is the second most cause of the cancer death after lung cancer . This screening should begin at age 45, but you may need to be screened sooner if you have a family history. Most Colon Cancers comes from polyps (abnormal masses) that grow on the inner linings of the large intestine. Removing polyps early , before they become cancerous , can prevent it completely. A Colonoscopy and flexible Sigmoidoscopy are some of a common screening test for Colorectal Cancer.
7. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Tests – All sexually active women 24 and younger should be screened at least annually for chlamydia and for Gonorrhea. Adolescents and adults ages 15 to 65 should also be screened for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), These diseases can affect anyone who is sexually active, and they can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Many STDs may not cause noticeable symptoms, which is why regular screening and early detections are important for overall health . How often these screens should be repeated depends on a person’s risk.
8. Skin Cancer Screening – Skin cancer can develop at any age, but the risk increases as a person gets older, especially after age 50. There are several types of skin cancer , an early treatment can be effective for all of them .There are various skin cancers like Basal Cells and Squamous Cells but the most dangerous one is Melanoma, which effects the cells that produce a person’s skin coloring . If there is any changes in your skin markings, including moles , freckles shape , color, and size get your skin checked as soon as possible from any expert dermatologist .
9. High Blood Pressure – High blood pressure, or hypertension, often goes unnoticed because it doesn’t have obvious symptoms. However, it can cause serious conditions such as heart disease and stroke. Regular monitoring and a healthy lifestyle are key to managing it effectively. Women should measure their blood pressure at least once every two years. Those with risk factors like diabetes or a family history of hypertension should check it more frequently. An optimal blood pressure is usually around 120/80 mmHg. Blood pressure monitoring is made easier today with digital blood pressure monitors that are readily available. You can also monitor your blood pressure with smartwatches and other smart devices today, which makes it easier to regularly keep your blood pressure levels in check.
10. Thyroid Function Test – Thyroid tests are often part of routine annual check-ups, especially for women over 35, as thyroid issues become more common with age. Regular screenings are essential for detecting and managing thyroid issues early. Several different tests can assess thyroid function, and they typically measure the levels of specific thyroid hormones in the blood. The most commonly tested hormones are: Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Free Thyroxine (Free T4), Free Triodothyronine (Free T3). These test measures the hormone that controls how the thyroid gland functions. More frequent testing may be necessary if you have thyroid symptoms or a family history of thyroid disease. Regular TSH tests help ensure your thyroid is working properly and allow for early intervention if problems arise.
Conclusion
Preventive health check-ups are essential for maintaining women’s wellness and detecting potential health issues early. These health screenings help ensure that Indian women can lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Making women’s health a priority today leads to a brighter and healthier future for all women tomorrow Apart from age-appropriate screenings, It is said that annual well woman visits are important starting at age 21. During these visits, your provider will check your blood pressure, go over current health concerns, make sure you are up-to-date on vaccinations, and discuss family history, which may trigger earlier screenings if necessary. These screenings also provide an opportunity to address lifestyle factors, mental health, and other preventative measures that can improve quality of life.
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