Regular screening tests are required to get a diagnosis of a disease in its initial phase so that it can be managed. So, checkups should be done at specific times, and below are the tests required for women in the age group of 18-39 years:
Find out which screenings women should have and when to have them
- Blood pressure:
Hypertension can be diagnosed only if blood pressure is monitored regularly. So, it should be monitored every 3-5 years if risk factors for hypertension are not present.But a yearly checkup is required if any of these is present:
- High BP during pregnancy
- Obesity
- Diabetes or heart disease
- Genetic tendency to hypertension
- Screening for breast cancer
Usually, a mammogram is not recommended in women below 40 years, but it can be done if the following are present:
- A close relative diagnosed with breast cancer
- Genetic Tendency to breast cancer
- Cholesterol screening:
Cholesterol should be monitored every 5 years from the age of 20 years in women who are at a risk of developing coronary heart disease.Also, it should be done in women above the age of 45 years even if not at risk.
- Diabetes
Screening tests for diabetes should start after the age of 35 years and be done every 3 years if you have a risk of getting diabetes.
Repetition of this test should be done more often if:
- Pregnant
- Having first-degree diabetic relatives
- Prediabetic
- Overweight
- Heart disease
- Eye examination
Eye testing should be done every 2 years if vision is weak.
- Screening for infectious diseases
- Gonorrhea and chlamydia: Under the age of 25 years, sexually active women to be screened for gonorrhea and chlamydia. After 25 years, to be screened for gonorrhea and chlamydia if at risk
- Hepatitis C: to be tested once between 18 -39 years. Pregnant women are to be screened for it also.
- HIV: one time to be tested between 15 years and -65 years
- Pap smear
To be started at 21 years for cervical cancer screening. Regular screening is to be done every 3 years.
- Skin (self-examination):
Signs of skin cancer if present should be checked and if genetic predisposition to it is present, skin should be checked for it regularly.
- Physical examination:
Regular checkups for BMI, height, and body weight should be done.
- Routine bone density:
This is recommended for women below the age of 40 years.
For more information, you can visit Healthline and Mayoclinic.
