10 WOMEN HEALTH SCREENINGS

Having regular health screenings is a healthy habit you should pick up. They help to uncover potential health risks so you can avoid a crisis in the future. Have you had any of these ten (10) women's health screenings recently?

1. BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING AND CHOLESTEROL TEST

What is it?

Blood pressure screening and cholesterol tests are two screenings necessary for heart health. 

Blood pressure screenings help to detect high blood pressure or hypertension. A consistent blood pressure of over 140/90 millimetres of mercury (mm Hg) shows that a person has hypertension or high blood pressure. A normal blood pressure ideally should read 120/80millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, then you should be screened for diabetes too. High blood pressure causes other health complications.

A healthy cholesterol level is 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl). Any level between 200 and 239 mg/dl is considered high and puts a person at risk of heart disease or stroke.

When should you have it?

If your blood pressure is normal (120/80 or below), the American Heart Association advises that you get a screening every two years, starting from age twenty (20). However, if you have high blood pressure or you are at a higher risk (obese, 40 years plus or an African-American), you need to have your blood pressure checked more often, preferably annually. 

Women 20 years and above must have a baseline screening for cholesterol levels every five years. However, after age 45, since the risk of heart disease is higher, a person should take this blood test often. Consult with your physician on how often you should take this test.

2. PAP SMEAR

What is it?

This women health screening helps detect cervical cancer. During a pap smear, your doctor will use a speculum to open up your vaginal canal. He or she will then use a brush to take cells from the cervix and check them for any change in cells that may lead to cervical cancer 

When should you have it?

Starting from age 21 to 65 years, you should have a pap smear every three years. You may combine a pap smear with a test for HPV, a sexually transmitted disease that can cause cervical cancer. In this case, you should have a screening every five years.

3. MAMMOGRAM

What is it?

Mammograms screen for breast cancer, the most common cancer in women under age 60 globally. A radiologist compresses a woman's breast between plates and takes X-ray images during a mammogram.

When should you have it?

The American Cancer Society pegs the age for having annual mammograms at 45 years. However, doctors advise high-risk groups like women 55 years and above to screen twice a year.

4. BONE DENSITY SCREENING

What is it?

Bone density screening is called a DEXA scan. It uses a low-dose X-ray machine to take images of a woman's bones while she's stretched out on a table. Bone density tests can detect osteoporosis. 

When should you have it?

If you are 65 years and above, you should have your first bone density screening. However, those with risk factors for osteoporosis, like fractures or low body weight, should have their screening earlier than 65 years.

 

5. BLOOD GLUCOSE TEST

What is it?

A phlebotomist carries out a blood glucose test using a glucose meter. He or she inserts a glucose test strip into this small instrument and puts a drop of blood from a skin prick on the test strip. The glucose meter then reads the blood glucose level digitally.

A fasting plasma glucose reading greater than 126 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter) shows a person has diabetes. However, a reading of 100 mg/dl or higher is an indicator of prediabetes.

When should you have it?

To detect diabetes or prediabetes, women 45 years and above should have regular glucose tests every three years. However, if you have risk factors (obesity, family history, ethnicity or race), you have to start screening earlier and often. You must have a discussion with your doctor on how to go about this.

6. COLON CANCER SCREENING

What is it?

There are two types of colon cancer screening; colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.

During a sigmoidoscopy, a light tube and camera placed inside the anus screens the lower colon. When it's a colonoscopy, a long tube and camera screen the entire colon.

When should you have it?

This women health screening starts at age 50 years, and a woman should go for screening every five years if it's a sigmoidoscopy or ten years in the case of a colonoscopy.

7. BODY MASS INDEX

What is it?

Body mass index (BMI) is a screening for obesity. It is the calculation of an adult's body fat based on their height and weight, and it shows if a person is obese or not. Many women do not take this screening seriously, but it could have implications. Obesity is a risk factor for heart disease and diabetes.

When should you have it?

A woman should have her BMI calculated as early as 18 years.

8. SKIN EXAMINATION

What is it?

You have to check your skin regularly for any signs of moles or changes in moles already on your skin. These could be early signs of skin cancer. If you have a family history of skin cancer or are at a high risk of it, you will need a dermatologist to examine you. 

When should you have it?

There is no hard and fast rule about how often you should get a skin exam. This is something you must do at your own leisure. However, if you fall within a high-risk group, discuss with your dermatologist how often you should come in for a skin exam.

 

9. DENTAL CHECKUP

What is it?

Oral hygiene presents certain risks, even for heart health, and so every woman must have regular dental checkups. These checkups help to detect and prevent tooth decay and other oral diseases. A session usually involves cleaning and examining the teeth with X-rays.

When should you have it?

Every adult woman should have her teeth checked twice a year by a dentist.

10. HEARING AND VISION SCREENING

What is it?

Vision screening is usually for people who wear contacts or glasses. You may not need screening if you do not have any issues with your sight, though an occasional screening is not a bad idea. You may, however, see an optometrist if you notice changes in your vision.

A hearing screening uses an audiogram to test a person's hearing at different pitches and intensity levels. The doctor does the screening in a soundproof room, where the patient wears headphones or earplugs connected to the audiogram. The audiogram sends different sounds of different pitches and volumes to one ear at a time. The doctor then asks the patient to raise their hand or press a button if they hear a sound.

When should you have it?

If you wear contacts or glasses, doctors advise having a yearly vision screening. 

An audiogram is needed when you are 65 years and above, and you will need one once a year.

 

 

By Nana Ama Afoa Osae I Writer I GreatWonderful Team

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