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Women's Health
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Screening test Keep updated with key recommendations For many, a visit to the doctor’s office for a routine physical may raise more questions than it answers. Why do I need a physical, especially if I’m feeling fine? How often do I need to go? What will the doctor be checking? What tests do I need to have? For healthy women, a complete health assessment and physical exam is recommended at least every three years from age 20 to 39, at least every two years from age 40 to 65, and then annually thereafter. If you have any chronic medical conditions, you should have a physical more frequently, usually each year, or as recommended by your doctor. A physical exam visit will include questions to evaluate your lifestyle and general health status, screening for common medical conditions, cancer screening, and finally, any recommended vaccinations. One of the main health concerns for women is cardiovascular disease, which accounts for most cases of illness and death as we age. Angina, heart attacks, strokes and blocked circulation are the result of atherosclerosis, or buildup of fatty material in the walls of the arteries. Once believed to affect mainly men, cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 cause of death in women. Often, future risk of heart disease can be detected many years before any symptoms develop. At the time of your physical, the doctor should check for these risk factors: • Cigarette smoking • Obesity – being 30% or move above the recommended body weight • High blood pressure • Diabetes • High cholesterol • Heart disease in a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) in his or her early 50s or younger Blood tests are ordered to check for diabetes and high cholesterol. Cancer screening is an important part of your physical exam. Screening for cervical cancer is performed with a pap smear test, which should begin after a woman becomes sexually active, or at age 21, and should be repeated every one to three years. Human papilloma virus (HPV) can lead to cervical, vulvar or vaginal cancers. Doctors routinely should check for HPV when a pap test produces abnormal results. A new vaccine has recently become available for HPV and may be used in sexually active females up to age 26. Breast cancer screening consists of regular breast examinations by the doctor, who also should advise and instruct how to perform self-breast examination. Mammogram screening of low-risk patients is advised every one to two years from ages 40 to 50 and annually thereafter. Ovarian cancer screening is not recommended for healthy low-risk women. For women with a family history of hereditary ovarian cancer, an ultrasound and CA-125 blood test are recommended. Chlamydia screening by a urine test is performed to check for an organism that may cause sexually transmitted infections. Screening is advised for sexually active females younger than 25 years of age. Adult vaccinations include a tetanus booster shot every 10 years, annual flu vaccine for those with any lung or heart conditions, rubella vaccination for non-pregnant women of childbearing age, and hepatitis B vaccine for those not previous immunized. Regular medical screening visits are valuable in identifying diet, physical activity and other behaviors that may greatly influence health and well-being. Your doctor’s findings on your physical exam as well will help insure you the best possible health. Dr. Andrea Avery specializes in internal medicine at UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange and is an associate clinical professor at the UC Irvine School of Medicine. Information: ucihealth.com or 877.UCI.DOCS. |
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