Here are the recommended screening tests for most women ages 50 to 64. A screening test is done to find possible health problems in people who don't have any symptoms. The goal is to find a disease early so lifestyle changes can be made and you can be watched more closely to lower the risk of disease. Or to find it early enough to treat it most effectively. Screening tests are not diagnostic. But they are used to find out if more testing is needed. You and your healthcare provider may decide that a different schedule is best for you. But this plan can guide your discussion.
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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 adults starting at age 35 and adults without symptoms at any age who are overweight or obese and have 1 or more additional risk factors for diabetes
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At least every 3 years
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Alcohol misuse
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All adults
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At routine exams
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Blood pressure
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All adults
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Yearly checkup if your blood pressure is normal.
Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg.
If your blood pressure reading is higher than normal, follow the advice of your healthcare provider.
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Breast cancer
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All women in this age group at average risk. Expert groups vary on their advice so talk with your provider about your specific situation.
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A mammogram is advised every 1 or 2 years. Talk with your provider about your risk factors. Ask how often you need one.
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The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises a mammogram every 2 years starting at age 40.
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he American Cancer Society advises yearly mammograms for women ages 45 to 54 and mammograms every 1 to 2 years for women ages 55 and older.
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All women should know how their breasts normally look and feel. They should know the benefits and risks of breast cancer screening with mammograms.
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Cervical cancer
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All women, except those who have had a hysterectomy with removal of the cervix for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or serious precancer
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Pap test every 3 years or Pap test with human papillomavirus (HPV) test every 5 years or primary HPV testing every 5 years, or Pap test with reflex HPV test every 3 years
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Chlamydia
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Women at a higher risk for infection
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At routine exams if at risk
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Colorectal cancer
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All women of average risk in this age group
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According to the American Cancer Society:
For tests that find polyps and cancer:
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Colonoscopy every 10 years (recommended) or .
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Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
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CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years
For tests that primarily find cancer:
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Yearly fecal occult blood test, or
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Yearly fecal immunochemical test every year, or
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Stool fecal immunochemical test with DNA test, every 3 years
You will need a follow-up colonoscopy if you choose any test other than a colonoscopy and you have an abnormal result. Screening recommendations vary among expert groups. Talk with your provider about which test is best for you.
Some people should be screened using a different schedule because of their personal or family history. Talk with your provider about your health history and what colorectal cancer screening schedule is best for you.
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Depression
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All adults
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At routine exams
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Gonorrhea
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Sexually active women at a higher risk for infection
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At routine exams if at risk
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Hepatitis C
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Adults at a higher risk; 1 time for those born between 1945 and 1965
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At routine exams if at risk
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HIV
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All women
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At routine exams if at risk
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High cholesterol and triglycerides
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All women ages 45 and older at a higher risk for coronary artery disease
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At least every 5 years
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Obesity
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All adults
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At routine exams
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Lung cancer
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Women between the ages of 50 and 80 who are in fairly good health, are at higher risk for lung cancer, and who:
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Yearly lung cancer screening with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT); talk with your healthcare provider about your risk and situation
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Osteoporosis, postmenopausal women
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Women at age 65 or older or women age 50 to 64 who are at a higher risk for fractures caused by osteoporosis
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Check with your healthcare provider
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Syphilis
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Adults at a higher risk for infection
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At routine exams if at risk
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Tuberculosis
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Adults at a higher risk for infection
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Check with your healthcare provider.
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Vision
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All adults
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Check with your healthcare provider for exam frequency. A baseline eye exam screening is recommended at age 40.
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