Screening tests are a key to managing your health. A screening test is done to find problems in people who don't have any symptoms. Screening tests are not used to diagnose. They are used to find out if more testing is needed. The goal may be to find a disease early so it can be treated with more success. Or the goal may be to find a disease early so you can make lifestyle changes. You may need regular checkups to help you reduce your risk of disease.
Below are guidelines for women ages 40 to 49. Talk with your healthcare provider to stay up-to-date.
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Screening
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Who needs it
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How often
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Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
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All women in this age group
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At least every 3 years
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Type 2 diabetes
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All women with prediabetes
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Every year
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Alcohol misuse
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All women in this age group
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At routine exams
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Blood pressure
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All women in this age group
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Once a year if your blood pressure is normal. Normal is less than 120/80 mm Hg. If your blood pressure is higher than this, follow the advice of your healthcare provider.
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Breast cancer
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All women at average risk in this age group. Expert groups vary on their advice. Talk with your provider.
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Talk with your healthcare provider to help you decide when to start mammogram screening.
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The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises mammograms every other year starting at age 40.
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The American Cancer Society advises that women ages 40 to 44 have the choice to start yearly mammograms. They advise yearly mammograms for women ages 45 to 54.
All women should know how their breasts normally look and feel.
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Cervical cancer
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All women in this age group, unless they have had a complete hysterectomy
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Pap test every 3 years or Pap test and HPV test every 5 years
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Colorectal cancer
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Women age 45 years and older at average risk
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Talk with your provider about which test is right for you:
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Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
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Colonoscopy every 10 years
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CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years
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Yearly fecal occult blood test
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Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
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Stool DNA test every 3 years
If you have a test that is not a colonoscopy and have an abnormal test result, you will need a colonoscopy.
You may need to be screened more or less often. This is based on personal or family health history. Talk with your provider.
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Chlamydia
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Women at higher risk
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At routine exams if you're at risk or have symptoms
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Depression
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All women in this age group
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At routine exams
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Gonorrhea
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Sexually active women at higher risk
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At routine exams
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Hepatitis C
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Women in this age group at higher risk
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At routine exams
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High cholesterol or triglycerides
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All women ages 45 and older who are at risk for coronary artery disease. Younger women, talk with your provider.
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At least every 5 years
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HIV
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All women in this age group
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At routine exams. Those with risk factors for HIV should be tested at least 1 time a year.
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Obesity
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All women in this age group
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At routine exams
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Syphilis
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Women who are at higher risk. Ask your provider.
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At routine exams
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Tuberculosis
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Women who are at higher risk
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Ask your provider
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Vision
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All women in this age group
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Full exam at age 40. Then eye exams every 2 to 4 years. If you have a chronic disease, ask your provider how often you need an eye exam.
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Health Counseling
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Who needs it
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How often
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BRCA gene mutation testing for breast and ovarian cancer
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Women with higher risk for a gene mutation
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When your risk is known
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Breast cancer and chemoprevention
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Women at high risk for breast cancer
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When your risk is known
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Diet and exercise
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Women who are overweight or obese
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When diagnosed, and then at routine exams
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Domestic violence
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All women in this age group
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At routine exams
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Sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention
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Women who are at higher risk. Talk with your provider.
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At routine exams
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Use of tobacco
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All women in this age group
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Every exam
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