Female Wellness Exams
Breast Exam
Women should perform monthly self-breast exams. A complete breast exam should be done by a health care provider annually or more frequently depending on family history and type of breast tissue. Breasts are inspected for changes in shape, skin texture and nipple discharge and lumps.
Pelvic Exam
to check for uterine or ovarian abnormalities and screen for cervical cancer.
Women >40
Women over 40 years old should have a mammogram done every 1-2 years, depending on their risk factors. Regular mammograms are a key part of early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
Osteoporosis Screening
Peri-menopausal scan (DXA of the hip and lumbar spine and/or quantitative ultrasonography of the calcaneus) recommended (family history, shortening stature, etc.).
Pap smear
Possibly a test for the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). < 21 years: screening not recommended; 21-29 years: screen with cytology alone every 3 years; 30-39 years: screen with cytology and HPV testing every 5 years (if both negative); 40-64 years: screen with cytology and HPV testing every 5 years or cytology alone every 3 years.
Cholesterol screening
If patient has diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems or certain other conditions, her/his may need to be monitored more closely.
Colon Cancer Screening
Beginning at age 50 (screening to begin earlier if family history is positive), Stool test annually; Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years with a stool guaiac test; Colonoscopy every 10 years.
Diabetes Screening
If your blood pressure is higher than 135/80, your health care provider will test your blood sugar levels for diabetes.
Blood Pressure Screening
Every 2 years unless 130/80 mm Hg or higher, then yearly. If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems or certain other conditions, you may need to be monitored more closely.