Screenings for women 40-64

Most physical exams and checkups include blood pressure tests. These screenings measure the force or pressure in your arteries as your heart pumps. Adults over 40 should have a blood pressure test, or hypertension screening, every year.

Blood tests provide insight into your overall health and help physicians detect disease and medical issues. Typically, adults over 40 should undergo annual blood testing. Common blood tests check for cholesterol levels, vitamin deficiencies, metabolic panels and blood disorders. If you have certain health issues, such as hypertension or diabetes, your physician may recommend more frequent blood tests.

Your provider may perform a pulse oximetry test as part of your routine exam (measures if the blood is well oxygenated). You may also receive this test if you have symptoms such as shortness of breath or a condition affecting your breathing, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, heart failure or COVID-19.

The Pap test, or Pap smear, and human papillomavirus (HPV) test are both performed to prevent and detect cervical cancer. Pap tests are recommended for women, 21-65 years old. Your doctor may also recommend the HPV test. If your test results are normal, your physician may say you can wait three to five years for your next Pap or HPV test, respectively.

Your provider may perform a clinical breast exam, or physical examination of the breasts, as part of your annual physical or well-woman exam every one to three years. If you are at high risk of breast cancer or have any symptoms, your provider may perform the exam more frequently.

Colonoscopies are often used to detect precancerous polyps and colorectal cancer. The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommends regular screenings for most men and women at age 45 and strongly encourages annual screenings for those 50 to 75 years old. Your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy before you turn 45 if you have certain symptoms or risk factors.

Regular mammograms can help detect breast cancer in its early stages when it’s most treatable. If you are not at high risk of developing breast cancer, the following screening schedule is generally recommended. At age 40, you may start receiving annual mammograms. At age 45, you should get a mammogram every year. After age 55, you should continue receiving mammograms every one to two years as long as you are in good health.

Annual lung cancer screenings using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) are recommended for people aged 50 to 80 with a 20 pack-year smoking history who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. (A pack-year describes the number of cigarettes smoked in a lifetime. If you have smoked a pack a day for the last 20 years or two packs a day for the last 10 years, you have 20 pack-year history.) Physician referral needed.

Your provider may or may not recommend a professional skin exam every one to three years. Their recommendation will depend on your risk factors. People at high risk of skin cancer often have red or blonde hair, fair skin, several moles, a family or personal history of skin cancer or are frequently exposed to the sun. Please let your doctor know if you notice potential signs of skin cancer, such as new moles or ones that have changed in appearance.