| TEST |
FREQUENCY |
| Blood Pressure Measurements |
every 2-3 years |
| Breast Exams |
monthly SELF exams; annual health care provider |
| Mammography |
after age 40, every 1-2 years; check with your health care provider for your personal risk needs |
| Cholesterol Levels |
every 5 years after age 18 |
| Pelvic Exams/PAP Smears |
every 1-3 years after age 18 or when sexually active |
| Rectal Exams |
annually over age 50; earlier if you have inflammatory bowel disease or first-degree relative with colon cancer |
| Blood Sugar levels |
varies depending on family history and personal risk factors for diabetes |
| Skin Exams |
annual mole checks; self-inspection for suspicious growths |
| Dental Exams |
twice a year for checkup and cleaning> |
| HIV Test |
if you had a blood transfusion between 1987 and 1985; have injected illegal drugs; have had multiple sexual partners or have had sex with a man who had sex with another man |
| Syphilis, Gonorrhea or Chlamydia Tests |
if you have had multiple sexual partners or any sexually transmitted diseases |
| Tuberculosis Test [TB] |
if you have injected illegal drugs; have been an alcoholic or a health care worker; have been exposed to someone with tuberculosis; have recently moved from Asia, Africa Central or South America or the Pacific Islands; or if you have kidney failure or HIV infection. |
2. What sorts of immunizations do I need as an adult woman?
Adults need immunizations ["shots"] to prevent serious diseases. You should get a tetanus-diphtheria shot every ten years. At age 65 you should get a pneumococcal ["pneumonia"] shot and begin having influenza ["flu"] shots every year.
