10 Health Tests Every Woman Should Take Annually

One of the most ignored things in our lives is our health. We take health for granted daily, till we see some irregularity in our health index. Why do we have to come to this? Why cannot we take care of our health before it starts deteriorating? If this statement hits close to home, then I have a list of 10 health tests that every woman should take annually.

Let us see the entire list and determine if you are regular with your basic health tests or not. 

Pap and HVP Tests

Pap tests detect the growth of all kinds of abnormal cells in the cervix region. This test, if done regularly, can save you from potential cervical cancer. HPV tests check high-risk HPVs that are the major cause of cervical cancer; both these tests are done together. 

Test Recommendations

• Between Age Group 21-29: Every Three Years

• Between Age Group 30-65: Ever Five Years 

Importance: Cervical cancer can be detected early on or altogether prevented with regular check-ups

STD Tests

STD screening tests all kinds of infections that can be transmitted with sexual contact. There are no real symptoms of STDs and STI in the early stages which make the regular screening even more important. 

Test Recommendations

It is advised to get yourself tested as soon as you become sexually active. If you are sexually active, it is best advised to consider STD screening regularly. The screening becomes even more important if you have intercourse with a new partner or multiple partners. 

Importance: If you do not treat STIs early on, it can lead to serious health conditions like infertility, pelvic inflammation, etc. Also, early detection of the disease can stop the disease from spreading to your partner. 

Diabetes Screening

This test is important, even if you have no signs of disease currently. If diabetes runs in your family, maternal or paternal side, you should get yourself screened for diabetes. If you are suffering from gestational diabetes then there are high chances of you developing type 2 diabetes later on in life, so regular screening becomes a must. 

Test Recommendation 

• Between Age Group 30-45: Every Five Years

• Age Group 45 and Above: Every Three Years 

Importance: Regular check-up helps in early detection of the disease, which can help in managing your blood sugar level and prevent all kinds of complications. 

Mammogram 

A mammogram is about getting an X-ray of your breasts. Even if you have no signs or symptoms of breast cancer, still this screening will help in the prevention of the disease altogether. The X-ray helps in revealing the smallest of the changes in breast tissues and tiny tumors. You can easily book a mammogram test online from known labs like Orange Health Lab and grab great discount on your health check-up by scheduling appointments online.  

Test Recommendation

• Women after the age of 40 should go for mammograms on a yearly basis

Importance: Regular screening of breast tissues can detect breast cancer early on in life and can be treated early. 

Bone Density Test

Bone Density Test, aka DEXA scan, assesses bone health and predicts current symptoms of osteoporosis or the occurrence of the disease in the future. This test measures the calcium and other minerals levels in your body. Usually, a low-dosage X-ray is used for this test. 

Test Recommendation 

• Women as they approach menopause should have this check-up once a year. 

Importance: The test can help find the areas with low bone density and you could start the treatment for the same. This will prevent osteoporosis and bone fractures in your old age. 

Cholesterol Test 

A cholesterol test is also known as a lipid panel. The test is carried on to check the level of different types of fats in the blood. This test helps in assessing if you have any kind of heart disease or have a risk of stroke.

Test Recommendation 

Generally, it is good to check your cholesterol levels every 4-6 years, right from the age of 20 especially if you have a family history of heart disease and high blood pressure. However, after age 45, you must get your cholesterol checked yearly. 

Importance: Measuring cholesterol at the right time will help in early intervention and save you from all kinds of heart-related diseases. 

Lung Cancer Screening

It is difficult to detect lung diseases in the early stages because there are no symptoms as such. This is the reason that after a certain age, you should definitely have regular low-dose CT scans (lung screening tests). The test becomes even more important if you have a smoking habit or have recently quit smoking. You can book the heath test at great discounts online from known labs like Redcliffe. 

Test Recommendation 

• The test is recommended for women in the age group of 50-80 years on a yearly basis. 

Importance: If lung cancer is detected early then it becomes easy to treat it and the chances of survival increase immensely.

Hearing Test

Hearing tests are all about evaluating hearing sensitivity. The test actually measures your hearing capacity for different frequencies and volume of sound.

Test Recommendation 

• There are no specific guidelines as to when one should get their hearing test done. Till the age of 50, you can get the test done once every 10 years. After 50, you should get it tested once every 3 years. 

Importance: Early detection of hearing loss can help in further deterioration of hearing capability and you can be aided with a hearing aid to carry on your daily life.  

Eye Exam

The test is done to check your vision and your eye health. It helps in managing any kind of potential eye conditions. 

Test Recommendation 

• Women above 40 years should get their eyes checked once every 1-2 years.

Importance: Regular check-ups will help you detect eye-related diseases like cataracts, glaucoma, etc. and these can be treated on time. Early detection helps in preventing vision loss. 

Skin Check 

A skin test is a testing procedure that determines if your skin is prone to some allergies or not. Usually, it is done by introducing your skin to a substance and thus seeing the reaction of the same on your skin. For more serious conditions, you can go for medical procedures like a TST check and skin biopsy.

Test Recommendation

Women in the age group of 35-75 years should get their whole body skin tested once a year if there are some serious skin conditions. Skin allergies can happen at any age so it is always recommended to get you tested immediately at the onset of the allergy. 

Importance: Early detection can help save you from a lot of troubles caused by skin allergies. 

Last Words

As the cliché goes, ‘prevention is better than cure’, still holds immense value. If you are regular with your health tests and screenings, then you can spend your old days in much more peace, calm, and good health. If you support these check-ups with good dietary habits and regular exercise, then you are sorted for life. Think about it!