Make Time for These Annual Screenings
There are a few key appointments you should make each year, regardless of your age. Here are three that will help you stay connected with your care team and on top of your health.
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Primary Care
Sometimes referred to as an annual checkup or well-woman exam, this can typically be conducted by your primary care provider or OB/GYN. It gives you a chance to talk to your provider about your current health conditions, address any new symptoms, concerns or goals, and gives them the opportunity to recommend age-based screenings.
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Gynecology
An annual pelvic exam helps your provider monitor your reproductive organs, regardless of your stage of life or plans for having a family. It’s a good time to bring up any abnormal symptoms or concerns. If your Pap tests have been normal in the past, you can typically wait three years to get the next one. Your gynecologist may also be able to conduct a well-woman exam all in one appointment.
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Dermatology
A yearly exam at the dermatologist involves your doctor looking at your skin closely from head to toe for signs of discoloration or abnormal growths. They may or may not take a skin sample to test suspicious moles or spots. You should also use this appointment to discuss any changes in your skin that you’ve noticed. A dermatologist can provide advice on the best sun protection methods as well as any aesthetic questions you have.
Strategies and Screenings to Prevent Disease
You go to the doctor when you’re sick, but taking a proactive approach is the best way to avoid major health issues — and catch them early when they’re most treatable. Staying up-to-date on your age-specific screenings and immunizations is a smart way to care for your long-term wellness.
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Immunizations
You should get certain vaccinations (like the flu shot) every year. But others, like COVID-19 boosters and shingles vaccines, are also available and easy to get at your annual wellness exam or at a nearby AdventHealth Express Care at Walgreens location. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about which immunizations may be right for you based on your age and health history.
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Gynecologic Cancer Screening
Routine Pap tests and annual pelvic exams help your doctor monitor any changes in your health. They can also identify new symptoms or conditions earlier when they're easier to treat.
Of all of the gynecological cancers, only cervical cancer has screening tests that can detect it early.
A few of the main cervical cancer risk factors include:
- Age
- Being infected with human papillomavirus (HPV) or not having received the HPV vaccine before the age of 26
- Family history of cancer
- Lifestyle choices (obesity, inactivity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, excessive red or processed meat consumption)
Talk to your doctor right away if you’re experiencing unusual bleeding, pain, discharge or other abnormal symptoms.
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Breast Cancer Screening
Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer among American women, affecting 1 in 8 women throughout their lifetime. A mammogram is the most effective tool available to detect breast cancer at the earliest possible stage before it can spread to other parts of the body.
A few of the main breast cancer risk factors include:
- Being over age 40
- Family history of breast cancer
- Lifestyle choices (obesity, inactivity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, excessive red or processed meat consumption)
Talk to your doctor right away if you’re experiencing pain or new symptoms in your breasts.
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Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer affecting women. But it’s more than 90% curable if diagnosed early. For women with an average risk of colon cancer, colorectal screenings like colonoscopies should start at age 45 — which is now earlier than the previously recommended age 50.
A few of the main colon cancer risk factors include:
- Being over age 45
- Having Type 2 diabetes, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis
- Family history of colorectal cancer or polyps
- Lifestyle choices (obesity, inactivity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, excessive red or processed meat consumption)
Talk to your doctor right away if you’re experiencing unexplained weight loss, blood in your stool, abdominal pain or other abnormal symptoms.
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Lung Cancer Screening
According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer death rates have declined in recent years — but the rate of women diagnosed has increased within the last 20 years. In most cases, lung cancer doesn’t show any symptoms until it’s more advanced, making screening even more critical.
Lung screenings are recommended for anyone considered high-risk, meaning they:
- Are age 50 or older
- Are a smoker or have quit within the last 15 years
- Have smoked one pack of cigarettes per day for at least 20 years or two packs per day for at least 10 years
Talk to your doctor right away if you’re experiencing breathlessness, coughing up blood or have any other persistent chest symptoms.
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Bone Density Screening
Your osteoporosis risk increases as you age, which means your chance of weaker bones that fracture more easily goes up. Screenings may be as simple as a blood test to monitor your vitamin D levels — or, when you reach a certain age, regular DEXA scans. Your doctor may recommend a DEXA scan if you’re over age 65 or younger than 65 and at high risk for fractures.
DEXA scans are painless and relatively quick, taking only about 10 to 20 minutes. The scan uses X-rays to take pictures of your bones and can allow your doctor to measure their density.
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