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Health Checklist for Women Over 40

Print out this list to keep track of tests and procedures you need after the age of 40 and take it with you to your next doctor's appointment.

Breast Cancer Screening

Procedure/test:	What it does:	Starting at age:	How often:	Date performed/results:
Mammogram	Checks for breast cancer	40-50 (or earlier with certain risk factors)	Every 1 to 2 years, depending on risk
Doctor's breast exam	May detect breast cancers missed by mammography	20	Annually; Every three years for women 20-40

Cervical cancer screening (one of the following):

Procedure/test:	What it does:	Starting at age:	How often:	Date performed/results:
Pap smear and pelvic exam	Checks for cervical cancer	21	Every three years, or as recommended by your doctor
Pap smear plus HPV DNA test and pelvic exam	Some experts recommend as more precise means to check for cervical cancer	30	Every five years, or as recommended by your doctor

Colorectal cancerscreening:

Procedure/test:	What it does:	Starting at age:	How often:	Date performed/results:
Colonoscopy	Outpatient procedure in which a doctor inserts a long, flexible instrument - about 1/2 inch in diameter - into the rectum to view the rectum and entire colon. Many experts say colonoscopy is the most accurate colon cancer screening	50	Every 10 years, more often for those with risk factors, a family history or history of colon polyps.
Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)	Stool is tested for blood -- a possible sign of colorectal cancer	50	Annually
Flexible sigmoidoscopy	Outpatient procedure for examining the lower portion of the large intestine, called the sigmoid colon. A special instrument with a tiny camera attached is used.	50	Every 5 years
Air-contrast barium enema	Barium is given as an enema, and then air is blown in to make the barium spread over the lining of the colon, producing an outline of the colon on X-ray. This helps to reveal any irregularities in the lining, such as a polyp.	50	Every 5 years
*Your doctor will pick which screening test is best for you. Your screening schedule may be different depending on your personal and family history.

Heart disease screening:

Procedure/test:	What it does:	Starting at age:	How often:	Date performed/results:
Blood cholesterol test	Measures amount of total cholesterol, "bad" LDL, and "good" HDL cholesterol circulating in the blood. Levels of triglycerides, another blood fat, are also usually checked.	20	Every 5 years, or at your doctor's discretion
Blood pressure check	Measures blood pressure, an indicator of heart risk	18	At least every other year, more often if above normal
Fasting plasma glucose	Measures blood sugar, an indicator of diabetes risk	45, or younger if you are overweight and have other risk factors	Every three years if in normal range, or at your doctor's discretion

Bone health:

Procedure/test:	What it does:	Starting at age:	How often:	Date performed/results:
Bone mineral density test	Used as an indicator of bone strength and osteoporosis risk	65, or earlier for women with previous fragility fractures; a family history of osteoporosis; on medications that cause bone loss; or have problems with calcium absorption	At your doctor's discretion