Top Health Checks for Women
Taking care of your health is an important part of taking care of yourself and those you love. During the month of March, as we celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) and the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform
for Action (BPfA), take a look at the top check-ups for women and make an appointment to see your health care provider if you have something that has been bothering you. If you have any health concerns, it’s always best to discuss these with
your healthcare provider first.
Blood pressure
Elevated blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. All adult women should know their blood pressure. At older ages, and for those with conditions like obesity that put them at increased risk for hypertension, annual screening is recommended.
Blood Glucose Tests
Women who are overweight or obese, are of ethnicity that is at higher risk, or have a family history of diabetes or history of gestational diabetes, need to have their blood glucose checked periodically and get medical advice.
Body Mass Index
Your body mass index (BMI) is a measure for obesity. While there are no hard and fast guidelines for how often should take this measurement, it’s an important number. Your BMI indicates whether or not you are overweight or obese, a condition that raises your risk of serious health problems like diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.
Bone Density Screening
Women should start getting screened for
osteoporosis at age 65 but those with risk factors for osteoporosis, such as fractures
or low body weight, should be screened earlier.
Breast cancer early detection
Breast
cancer is the leading cause of cancer cases and deaths in
women. Early detection of cancer can save lives. Common symptoms
include lumps, asymmetry, and skin or nipple retraction, changes or bloody
discharge. If available in your country, participating in a breast cancer
screening programme can be beneficial. Screening is done by mammography. The
starting age can vary and is generally 50 years and repeated every two
years. If you have a family history of the disease, or other
concerns, talk to your doctor about starting screening earlier.
Colon Cancer Early Detection
Colorectal
cancer is the second most common cancer among women. Early detection of cancer
can save lives. It is important to be aware of common symptoms such as change
in bowel habits, blood in the stool or unexplained weight loss. If available in
your country, participating in colorectal cancer screening is recommended.
Screening generally begins at the age of 50 years and can be done
through stool-based tests (to test for blood in the stool) or endoscopy (to examine the intestines
using a lighted tube and camera). If you have a family history of the
disease, or other concerns, talk to your doctor about starting screening
earlier.
Dental Check-up
Poor
dental health doesn’t just affect your teeth. Tooth and gum infections can
negatively impact your well-being so it’s important to look after your teeth.
Brush regularly, avoid smoking and sugary foods and make a trip to the dentist
every 6 months to keep your mouth healthy. Through regular dental
checkups, which involve cleaning and examining the teeth, along with X-rays,
your dentist can spot early signs of decay and any other problems.
Lipid Profile Check
This is
a tool used to assess your risk of developing heart disease or stroke. If you
are at risk for heart disease or stroke, discuss with your doctor regarding the
frequency of this blood test. For adults aged 40 years or older, and for
those with conditions like obesity or diabetes it is preferable to have the
lipid profile which includes total cholesterol and other lipids.
Screening for cervical cancer: Pap Smears and HPV testing
During
a Pap smear, your doctor uses a speculum to widen the vaginal canal, takes
cells from the cervix with a small brush, and examines those cells under a
microscope for changes that may lead to cervical cancer. Screening should start
at 30 years of age, if the test is negative you can have the test every three
to five years. Alternatively, an HPV test can be used to detect
Humanpapillomavirus, one of the most common sexually transmitted infections
that can lead to pre-cancer and cancer when persistent. The sample will be also
taken from the cervix or from the vagina if you use self-sampling. Screening
should also start at 30 years of age (earlier for women with HIV) and you can
re-do the test after a minimum of five years if the test is negative.
Skin examination
Women
can monitor their skin, carefully inspecting the skin all over your body,
looking for any new moles or changes to existing moles which can be early signs
of skin cancer. Sunburn can cause melanoma and other skin
cancers so protecting against sun burn is important for all ages. If you
notice any changes to moles see your doctor as soon as possible.
Visual and hearing impairment
Your hearing and sight may change as you get older. Things
you once took for granted such as reading road signs or holding a conversation
in a loud restaurant may become challenging. Download the WHO
application hearWHO, a
free WHO app to check your hearing and maintain regular eye checks to make
sure you are wearing the right prescription glasses or contact lenses if needed.