Here are the health screenings that most women at age 65 and older need. Although you and your healthcare provider may decide that a different schedule is best for you, this plan can guide your discussion. In addition, major organizations may vary in recommendations on these prevention guidelines.
Screening
|
Who needs it
|
How often
|
Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
|
All adults starting at age 45 and adults without symptoms at any age who are overweight or obese and have 1 or more additional risk factors for diabetes
|
At least every 3 years
|
Alcohol use or misuse
|
All adults
|
At routine exams
|
Blood pressure
|
All adults
|
Every year if your blood pressure reading is less than 120/80 mm Hg
If your blood pressure reading is higher than normal, follow the advice of your healthcare provider
|
Breast cancer
|
All women
|
Mammogram every other year or you may choose to continue mammograms every year
|
Cervical cancer
|
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), women older than 65 who have had regular screening with normal results do not need to be screened for cervical cancer. Once screening is stopped, it should not be started again.
|
Discuss with your healthcare provider
|
Chlamydia
|
Women at increased risk for infection
|
At routine exams if at risk
|
Colorectal cancer
|
All women of average risk and in good health in this age group, through age 75. For women ages 76 to 85, talk with your healthcare provider about continued screening. For women 85 and older, experts don't advise screening.
|
The ACS recommends:
Several tests are available and used at different times.
For tests that find polyps and cancer:
-
Colonoscopy every 10 years (recommended), or
-
Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
-
CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years
For tests that primarily find cancer:
-
Yearly fecal occult blood test or
-
Yearly fecal immunochemical test every year, or
-
Stool fecal immunochemical test plus 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 doctor 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 doctor about your health history and what colorectal cancer screening schedule is best for you.
|
Depression
|
All adults who have access to a clinical practice that has staff and systems in place to assure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and follow-up
|
At routine exams
|
Gonorrhea
|
Sexually active women who are at increased risk for infection
|
At routine exams if at risk
|
HIV
|
Anyone at increased risk for infection
|
At routine exams if at risk
|
Hepatitis C
|
Anyone at increased risk; 1 time for those born between 1945 and 1965
|
At routine exams
|
High cholesterol and triglycerides
|
All women ages 20 and older at increased risk for coronary artery disease
|
At least every 5 years, or more frequently if recommended by your healthcare provider
|
Lung cancer
|
Women between the ages of 50 and 80 who are in fairly good health, are at higher risk for lung cancer, and who:
-
Currently smoke or have quit within the last 15 years, and
-
Have a 20-pack year history of smoking (1 pack/day for 20 years or 2 packs/day for 10 years)
|
Yearly lung cancer screening with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT); talk with your healthcare provider about your risk and situation
|
Obesity
|
All adults
|
At routine exams
|
Osteoporosis, postmenopausal
|
All women ages 65 and older
|
Bone density test at age 65, then follow-up as recommended by healthcare provider
|
Syphilis
|
Anyone at increased risk for infection
|
At routine exams if at risk
|
Tuberculosis
|
Anyone at increased risk for infection
|
Check with your healthcare provider
|
Vision
|
All adults
|
Every 1 to 2 years; if you have a chronic disease, check with your healthcare provider for exam frequency
|