Preventive Health - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

Preventive Health

Women in their 40s or 50s may need to see their health care professional more often.  If you have a family history of medical problems, you may also need to seek specialized care in addition to regular exams.

This is just a guideline of screenings and tests you may need at this point in your life.  Check with your doctor if you have any questions and to see what they recommend. 

  • Pap Test:  If you have had three or more normal test results, speak with your doctor to see if you can start having the exam every two or three years instead.
  • Clinical Beast Exam:  You should begin having this exam every year if you are in your 50s.  A self breast exam once in a month is also very important to a woman's health.
  • Mammography:  In your late 40s or early 50s, you should be screened for breast cancer with a mammography test every year.
  • Blood Pressure:  Your blood pressure should be checked for high blood pressure every one to two years.
  • Cholesterol:  Testing for cholesterol should be done every five years unless you have a family history that would put you at risk for high cholesterol.  Talk with your doctor about good and bad cholesterol and ask how often they recommend you be tested.
  • Thyroid Test:  Talk to your doctor about when you should have a thyroid screening.  They will determine if you should go in for a screening or wait based on your family medical history.
  • Diabetes Blood Sugar Test:  When you should get tested varies.  Talk to your doctor about when and how often you should have a diabetes blood sugar test.
  • Skin Exam for Skin Cancer:  You should begin having your skin examined by a dermatologist every year.  Ask your health care professional for when you should begin and how to do a monthly mole self-exam.
  • Dental Exam:  Your oral health is just as important.  Visit the dentist regularly and scheduling regular checkups every six months.
  • Complete Eye Exam:  You should receive a complete eye exam every to two four years.

Immunizations:

  • Tetanus:  You should receive a tetanus booster every 10 years.
  • Influenza:  Discuss having a yearly influenza vaccine with your health care provider.

  • Baby BoomersHealth: Baby Boomers

  • Women in their 40s or 50s may need to see their health care professional more often.   This is just a guideline of screenings and tests you may need at this point in your life. 
    Women in their 40s or 50s may need to see their health care professional more often.   This is just a guideline of screenings and tests you may need at this point in your life. 

  • Most women will reach menopause sometime between the ages 45 and 55 with perimenopause lasting two years or more leading up to it.
    Most women will reach menopause sometime between the ages 45 and 55 with perimenopause lasting two years or more leading up to it.

  • When you visit your doctor, be sure to make a list of questions and concerns to discuss.  Anything from general health to menopause, arthritis, and osteoporosis.
    When you visit your doctor, be sure to make a list of questions and concerns to discuss.  Anything from general health to menopause, arthritis, and osteoporosis.
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