Medical Encyclopaedia Health Sheet: Screening Guidelines for Women

• GENERAL HISTORY AND EXAMINATION
• WHAT OTHER TESTS SHOULD I CONSIDER IN THE AGE GROUP 18 - 40?

It is recommended that you have a check-up, including a general history and physical examination every 3 years until age 65 and then should be done annually. During this examination your doctor is likely to include the following:

• Weight measurement: being overweight increases the risk of developing a number of conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, stroke, and coronary heart disease (angina and heart attack), as well as certain types of cancers
• Blood pressure measurement: If you have high blood pressure, you may be at increased risk for coronary heart disease, peripheral vascular disease (poor circulation), stroke and kidney disease. The adult target is <130/80. Measurements higher that this may warrant treatment. Your target may be different; please discuss this with your doctor
• Urine analysis: may detect kidney disease and other problems
• Blood sugar measurement: used to diagnose diabetes

Routine screening for cervical cancer

With Papanicolaou (Pap) testing (Pap smear) is recommended if you are or have been sexually active and if you have a cervix (have not had a hysterectomy). At least two initial screening tests should be performed one year apart. If these are normal, the screening interval may be lengthened at the discretion of your doctor but this should not exceed three years.

Women: 18 - 40: Breast Cancer Screening

It is recommended that you have a clinical breast examination (CBE) performed by your doctor every year. Also, a routine mammography screening (special X-ray of the breast) is recommended every 1 to 2 years. Screening is recommended until 70 years of age.

So, now you know what you and your doctor should be doing in the way of screening tests and procedures (please remember though, that these are only general recommendations - it is always best to ask your own doctor what is best for YOU). The rest is up to you....