Important Health Screenings For Every Woman Over 40

Important Health Screenings For Every Woman Over 40 : After the age of 40, it’s important for everyone to adopt a regular annual schedule of getting a full medical check-up. For women especially, regular screening becomes vital as important hormonal changes can begin around this time. Pre-menopausal changes can cause a woman’s body to be more sensitive to health issues and it’s important to get regular screening for common health issues.

Regardless of where you live from Moncton to Coquitlam or whether you have a family history of medical issues, it’s important to get proper screenings every year. Many problems do not show any symptoms until it is too late to treat them simply. Stay ahead of any threats from disease or infection by going for an annual check up.

Non-invasive screenings are relatively easy to book and can help you to stay on top of your health. You can visit your own family doctor or find a health clinic in Coquitlam to schedule the screenings that you need. The following screenings are recommended for all women over the age of 40.

Cholesterol Screening

Even the smallest elevation in your bad cholesterol levels can cause health problems. You may not notice anything drastic at first, but signs will start to show eventually. Getting a cholesterol screening will let you know where you are at and if you need to make any changes to your lifestyle and diet. Once you have your first screening, you should get a follow up screening every five years.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

For those that have a family history of colon cancer, getting a screening can mean the difference between life and death. Early detection is the key to surviving any type of cancer.

If you have no family history or issues with polyps you don’t necessarily need to be screened until you are 50. Don’t wait. Finding an issue before it gets out of hand can allow you to treat the problem before the issue becomes complicated.

Mammogram

Every woman over the age of 40 should be doing breast self-examinations and schedule a yearly mammogram. In many cases, by the time a malignancy is visible or easily felt on the body, it can be very late in the process.

A stage-4 cancer diagnosis can be very difficult, if not impossible, to treat so it’s best to catch it at stage-1. Women who have a family history of breast cancer should be getting regular mammograms as early as age 35.

Lung Cancer Screening

If you have been a smoker at any point in your life or worked in an industry that is associated with the risk of developing lung cancer, you should be getting a yearly screening after the age of 55. Even if you have quit smoking for up to 15 years, it is still vital to get a health screening. In most cases of lung cancer, the outward symptoms do not manifest until it is too late for effective treatment.

Early detection and a proactive schedule of vital medical screenings are one of the best ways for women over the age of 40 to maintain their health. Make an appointment with your doctor today to discuss what screenings are recommended for you.