Women’s Health Week

COVID-19 has had profound effects on all aspects of our lives. Women in particular are disproportionately responsible for caring for elderly family members, balancing work and childcare, or simply ensuring everyone in their community is happy and well. These added responsibilities can be stressful because they often take precedence over their own health.   

This National Women’s Health Week we encourage women to make their health a priority, especially during COVID-19 where the number of people seeking medical care across the country is down drastically.

Studies show genes determine only 20% of a person’s life expectancy, therefore lifestyle choices and disease prevention are extremely important factors in leading a long and healthy life. 

Each stage of adult life presents different health challenges or risks. We asked our providers for guidance on the vaccines, screenings, and general health tips for women to be aware of as they age. 

Please note: This checklist is for guidance and not comprehensive of all situations and needs. It’s important to speak with your provider about your family history and specific health concerns. Additionally, this checklist does not include recommendations for pregnant women. For information about pregnancy and childbirth, consult your provider.

Young adulthood: 20-40 years

This is a time when you are at your peak for physical and mental health, however it is also a time when child bearing/pregnancy becomes an issue for some women.

Developing healthy exercise, eating, and self care habits at this stage of life is crucial for sustaining long term well-being. Consult with your doctor on diet, exercise, sleep, smoking, STI screening and prevention, and alcohol consumption. Understanding the best contraception options is also important. These years can bring added stress with balancing careers and building a family. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for depression in the general adult population, including pregnant and postpartum women. Screening should be implemented with adequate systems in place to ensure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and appropriate follow-up. The coping mechanisms you develop at this stage will help you to endure through difficult periods later in life as well. 

Additionally, be sure to wear sunscreen when outside for prolonged periods, as well as sun protective clothing. The number of sunburns you have in your lifetime is cumulative, and can increase your risk of developing skin cancer long term.

Middle years: 40-60 years

Combination of lifestyle choices we made when we were younger mixed with genetic risk factors from our parents. 

Many women experience menopause during this stage. Talk with your doctor if you are experiencing increasingly painful, heavy, or unpredictable periods, hot flashes, or mood lability which can occur as you approach menopause. 

Heart health, high blood pressure, and weight gain are all areas to watch during these years of life. Metabolism naturally slows with age, so maintaining an active lifestyle and healthy dietary habits will help to offset this. Adults should get 30 minutes of aerobic exercise per day, five days a week and two days per week of strength training. The Mediterranean diet has been studied as one of the best diets to promote longevity and to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease and cancer. And remember to take care of your skin, your largest and most visible organ! Talk with your healthcare provider if you notice any skin changes, unusual moles, or if you have a family history of skin cancer.

60+ years

A time when you need to be regularly on top of your health.

Chronic conditions such as arthritis and diabetes may become bigger concerns during these years, as well as falls that can lead to bone fractures. This makes maintaining muscle mass through strengthening exercises all the more important. Squats, pushups, and lifting hand weights are a good start. 

Grieving is also more prevalent in these years, with many people experiencing the loss of a partner, family, or friends. Staying socially involved and physically active are important for your mental health. You also want to engage in activities that stimulate your brain and cognition. 

Schedule routine consultations with your doctor to stay on top of any changes in health.

Vaccinations

• Flu shot every year
• Tetanus booster every 10 years
• Whooping cough vaccine (Tdap booster) once in adulthood (unless you had one as a preteen or teenager)
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine: If you’re 26 or younger and haven’t received it yet (catch up vaccination is now approved for all women up until the age of 45): 3 doses
• Shingles vaccine at age 50: 2 doses
• Two pneumonia vaccines starting at 65

Screening Tests

Cholesterol 

Starting at age 20, have your cholesterol tested every four to six years. If you have high blood pressure, a family history of heart disease, or other cardiac risk factors, you may need to be screened more often.

Blood Pressure

Starting at age 20, have your blood pressure checked at least every two years. If your blood pressure is above 120/80, you may need to be screened more often.

Type 2 Diabetes

Starting at age 45, this screening is usually done every 3 years. If you’re overweight, have a family history of diabetes, or have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, screening may begin earlier.

Sexually Transmitted Disease

If you’re sexually active with more than one partner, get screened at least once a year or more often if applicable.

HIV

All women between the ages of 13 and 64 should be screened at least once. Talk with your provider about how often you should be tested after the initial screening.

Breast Cancer

• Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women outside of skin cancer, with 1 in every 8 women developing breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast cancer is also the second most deadly cancer for women claiming 40,000 lives each year. 
• Women aged 20-39: your provider may perform a clinical breast exam every 1 to 3 years. 
• Women prior to 50 years: the decision to start screening mammography should be an individual one. Women who place a higher value on the potential benefit than the potential harms may choose to begin biennial screening between the ages of 40 and 49 years. Other organizations argue that while screening mammography in women aged 40 to 49 years may reduce the risk for breast cancer death, the number of deaths averted is smaller than that in older women and the number of false-positive results and unnecessary biopsies is larger. The balance of benefits and harms is likely to improve as women move from their early to late 40s. 
• Women with a parent, sibling, or child with breast cancer are at higher risk for breast cancer and thus may benefit more than average-risk women from beginning screening in their 40s.
• For women who are at average risk for breast cancer, most of the benefit of mammography results from biennial screening during ages 50 to 74 years. 
• Of all of the age groups, women aged 60 to 69 years are most likely to avoid breast cancer death through mammography screening. 
• At age 75: talk with your doctor about whether you should continue having regular mammograms.

Cervical Cancer

• Starting at 21 years, have a Pap smear every three years. 
• For women aged 30 to 65 years, the USPSTF recommends screening (Pap smear) every 3 years with cervical cytology alone, every 5 years with high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing alone, or every 5 years with hrHPV testing in combination with cytology (cotesting).
• At age 65, most women can stop having regular Pap smears. Talk with your doctor about whether you should continue.

Eyes

• Annual exams are recommended for individuals with existing vision correction prescriptions.
• At age 40, all adults should receive an eye evaluation. 
• Women 65 and over with no risk factors should be examined every 1 to 2 years. This should include having your eyes checked for signs of cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma.

Ears

Talk with your provider about a hearing test if you are having any issues with your hearing.

Hepatitis C

The USPSTF recommends screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in adults aged 18 to 79 years.

Colon Cancer

At age 45, talk to your doctor about having either a colonoscopy every 10 years, or other colon cancer screening options are available. Screenings should take place until 75 years of age. If you have a family history of certain genetic conditions or one or more first degree relatives with colon cancer or colon polyps, then you may need to have a colonoscopy earlier. Also, there are some alternatives for colon cancer screening also available including FIT testing and Cologuard. Talk to your doctor to learn more about the options.

Lung Cancer

The USPSTF recommends annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in adults aged 50 to 80 years who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. Screening should be discontinued once a person has not smoked for 15 years or develops a health problem that substantially limits life expectancy or the ability or willingness to have curative lung surgery.

Osteoporosis

At age 65, have a bone density test and be screened again every two to three years. You may want to talk to your doctor about screening earlier if you have certain risk factors, such as family history, low body weight, smoking, thyroid disease, certain medical conditions, early or surgical menopause, a history of taking prednisone, or a history of fractures.