10 Screening Tests That Women Should Have!

Do you know that as women, we all should undergo certain medical tests and health screenings throughout our lives? For instance, did you know that hearing and vision screenings are recommended during every decade of your life?

Here is the list of 10 screening tests that you should undergo:

1. Pap test

Women age 21 and above should undergo Pap test. Sexually active young women under 21 also need to have Pap test starting within three years of the first time sexual intercourse happened. Pap test or Pap smear helps to detect abnormal changes in cervical cells that can lead to cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is now 15^th among the causes of cancer deaths. Every year, about 3,700 women are dying of cervical cancer.

2. Heart screening

Heart disease is the most leading cause of death in American women and about 250,000 women are dying of heart disease every year. This figure is six times greater than the women that die from breast cancer.

You can prevent coronary disease by maintaining healthy diet and taking proper lifestyle medications and enough physical activity. For heart screening, you need to undergo a blood test that checks your cholesterol levels and blood fats.

If you experience any chest pain, shortness of breath or additional heartbeat, you should undergo a test called stress echocardiogram. This test performed to determine whether there is any reduced blood flow to your heart.

3. Mammograms

When to begin annual mammography varies from one health professional to another. According to American Cancer Society and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the best age to start mammography is 40. Mammogram is a safe, painless and essential for the early detection of breast cancer.

Also, women during their 20s and 30s should undergo a breast exam for every three years to detect any lumps and bumps.

4. Blood pressure checks

Every year, about 50 million people in the United State have high blood pressure. One out of every five people is suffering from hypertension. It occurs when your blood pressure reading rise above 140/90.

Also, people suffer from low blood pressure or hypo tension. It occurs when your blood pressure reading falls below the normal range. When you have low blood pressure, you will experience headaches, light headed or dizziness.

5. Bone density test

It is fairly a simple and painless procedure. Women above 65 should have regular bone density test. Younger women who have had hysterectomy should also undergo regular bone density test. Osteoporosis is the disease that causes significant bone loss, if the condition is not detected and treated early, it can lead to fragile bones that break easily. Early diagnosis of this disease is treatable with medications.

6. Regular HIV testing

CDC recommended that everyone who consults a doctor or who is in an emergency room should undergo HIV testing on a routine basis. Regular HIV testing can decrease the spread of HIV virus about 30%. HIV virus is the most leading cause of AIDS.

7. Colon cancer test

Women should start screening for colon cancer at the age of 50. There are various procedures that help to detect colon cancer, so it is best to consult your doctor to know which test is right for you. If you have a family history of colon cancer, you should be screened at an earlier age. Colonoscopy is the procedure that can detect colon cancer.

8. STD test

If you think of any exposure to STD, immediately contact your doctor for testing. If you experience any abnormal vaginal discharge, you should consult your doctor. Abnormal vaginal discharge doesn’t indicate an STD, but it is the indication of either an STD or an yeast or vaginal infection.

9. BMI test

BMI is a measure of body fat according to your height and weight and it determines where you fall on the weight spectrum. BMI level more than 39 indicates that you are obese. You can check BMI yourself by using BMI calculator.

10. Cholesterol test

Regular cholesterol screening helps to detect the risk of developing heart disease. Adult women should undergo regular cholesterol test for every five years.