At What Age Do Women Need to Undergo Health Screenings?

Lisa Ferrara, MD, internal medicine physician at Bon Secours Medical Group, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth), says women should follow these guidelines:

General: Blood pressure, weight, diabetes and cholesterol at annual primary-care visits.

Breast cancer: Age 40­-75, annual mammogram; continue based on age, life expectancy and health risks.

Cervical cancer: Age 21-65, pap smears every three years; this can be extended to every five years if combined with a human papilloma virus (HPV) test.

Colon cancer: Begin screening at age 45 or 50, depending on family history. Screenings include colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, stool occult and fecal immunochemical (FIT), and stool DNA (Cologard testing).

Hepatitis C: Once for anyone born between 1945 and 1965.

Lung cancer: Age 55­-79, annually, for asymptomatic smokers and former smokers.

Skin cancer: Depends upon skin type and family history.

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Visit us at Bon Secours Medical Group, a member of Westchester Medical Center Health Network, to learn more. Advancing Care. Here.