The 8 Preventive Screenings Women Shouldn’t Miss

When life gets busy, health screenings can fall to the bottom of your to-do list. But these potentially life-saving appointments are worth prioritizing. Here are eight wellness appointments women should consider scheduling this year.

1. Annual physical

A visit with your primary care doctor is a great way to check in on your overall health. Your doctor can identify health issues early, before they become more serious. At a physical, your doctor might:

  • Make sure you’re up to date on vaccines. Are you up to date on boosters?
  • Discuss healthy habits. This could include managing stress, eating nutritious foods, and exercising.
  • Check your blood pressure. High blood pressure often has no obvious symptoms, so it’s good to get checked.
  • Order blood work. Simple blood tests can help spot any changes to your cholesterol or blood sugar levels.
  • Refill or adjust your medication routine. You may no longer need a certain medicine, or your doctor might suggest an alternative.

If you haven’t seen your doctor in a while, it’s a good idea to make an appointment, even if you feel like you're in good health.

2. Mammogram

Breast cancer is the second-most common cancer in women, according to the American Cancer Society. It’s also the second deadliest after lung cancer. Even though stats like these can feel scary, there is hope. Breast cancer is very treatable, especially when it’s caught early. That's why following the mammogram schedule you and your doctor set is so important.

The ACS recommends the following for women at average risk:

  • Women ages 40 to 44 can choose to start annual screening
  • Women ages 45 to 54 should get a mammogram every year
  • Women ages 55 and older should have a mammogram every two years

Women at high risk for breast cancer should be screened earlier. Risk factors include having a mother, daughter, or sister who has had breast cancer. Talk to your doctor about the right time to start mammograms for you.

3. Cervical cancer screening

Cervical cancer used to be one of the leading causes of cancer death for American women. Thanks to the increased use of the Pap test, this is no longer the case. Regular Pap screening has been shown to reduce the chance of developing cervical cancer or dying from it by at least 80%, according to the National Cancer Institute. Detecting pre-cancerous cells early allows doctors to treat the area before cancer develops.

Another effective screening is the HPV (human papillomavirus) test, which checks for the high-risk strains of HPV that can lead to cervical cancer. Some versions — called primary HPV tests — are FDA-approved to be used alone, without a Pap test.

For women ages 25 to 65 with no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer, the ACS recommends one of the following:

  • A Pap test every 3 years
  • A primary HPV test every 5 years
  • An HPV test and a Pap test every 5 years

Talk to your doctor to help decide which option works best for you.

4. Colorectal cancer screening

Colon cancer rates have been rising, especially among younger adults. That’s why routine screening is now recommended starting at age 45. The good news? Screening tests can help spot pre-cancerous polyps before they become cancerous and detect colorectal cancer early, when treatment is easier.

The colonoscopy remains the gold standard, but there are other options, including stool-based tests such as the FIT, which can be done at home. Discuss your options and risk factors with your doctor.

5. Dental exam and cleaning

Seeing your dentist and getting your teeth cleaned at least once a year isn’t just about having a nice smile. Taking care of your teeth and gums helps prevent:

  • Cavities
  • Gum disease
  • Tooth loss
  • Infection

Regular dentist visits also help spot or prevent other health issues, such as mouth cancer, diabetes, and other systemic diseases. Plus, you’ll score a free toothbrush.

6. Eye exam

Updating your glasses or contacts prescription is only one reason to see the eye doctor. About 93 million American adults are at high risk of serious vision loss, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), yet only half have visited an eye doctor in the past year.

Eye exams can help detect common and often unnoticed conditions such as cataracts (cloudy vision) and glaucoma (optic nerve damage that can lead to vision loss).

Around age 40, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a full eye exam to check for vision changes or conditions. At age 60 or older, eye exams are recommended every year or two.

7. Skin cancer screening

If you’ve noticed a strangely shaped mole, don’t delay getting it checked. Skin cancer is common: one in five Americans is expected to get it in their lifetime, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

If you’re at high risk for skin cancer, make an appointment with a dermatologist. Risk factors include:

  • Having fair skin
  • A family history of skin cancer
  • Having had skin cancer before
  • Spending a lot of time in the sun

When caught and treated early, survival rates for melanoma, the most serious kind of skin cancer, are 99% after 5 years.

8. Mental health visit

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Ask yourself: Have you been feeling down or hopeless? Low on energy? Avoiding activities you usually enjoy? If so, talk to your primary care doctor about a mental health screening.

If you’ve already been diagnosed with a mental health condition, it’s important to keep up with treatment and therapy appointments.

Life can get busy, but don’t let a jam-packed schedule deter you from scheduling these potentially life-saving screenings.