If you are 18 to 39 years old:
Once a year, you should have:
- A *** exam.
- A Pap test. (After you have had 3 normal Pap smears, ask your health care provider about how often you should have it done.)
Every 2 to 3 years, you should have:
- A blood pressure check.
- A height and weight measurement.
- An exam to look for cancers of the thyroid, lymph nodes, ovaries, and skin.
Every 5 years, you should have a:
- Cholesterol check.
- Blood sugar check if you are overweight.
Make sure you are up to date on your shots.
- Make sure you have had your rubella (measles) shot.
- Get a tetanus shot every 10 years.
- Ask your health care provider if you should get a flu shot every year.
If you are 40 to 65 years old:
Once a year, you should have:
- An exam to look for cancers of the ***, skin, thyroid, cervix, ovaries, uterus, lymph nodes, and rectum.
Every 1 to 2 years, you should have:
- A height and weight measurement.
- A blood pressure check.
- A stool sample checked for blood if recommended by your health care provider.
- A mammogram. (After you're 50 years old, you should have a mammogram every year.)
- An eye exam (with a check for glaucoma).
Every 1 to 3 years, you should have:
- A Pap test. (Ask your health care provider about how often you should have it done.)
Every 3 to 5 years, you should have a:
- Cholesterol check.
- Blood sugar check.
Your provider may recommend having a special test for colon cancer after age 50 every 10 years. The test is called a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.
Make sure you are up to date on your shots.
- Get a tetanus shot every 10 years.
- Get a flu shot every year if you are older than 50. If you are not 50 yet, ask your health care provider if you should get a flu shot.
If you are over 65 years old:
Every year, you should have:
- A height and weight measurement.
- A blood pressure check.
- A mammogram.
- An exam to look for cancers of the skin, ***, thyroid, ovaries, uterus, lymph nodes, and rectum.
- A stool sample checked for blood.
Every 1 to 3 years, your health care provider should:
- Check your blood count and blood sugar.
- Check your hearing and vision (with a check for glaucoma).
- Do a Pap test if you have had abnormal results before.
Your provider may recommend having a special test for colon cancer after age 50 every 10 years. The test is called a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.
Get the shots you need:
- Get a flu shot every year.
- Get the pneumonia shot if you have not had one before.
- Get a tetanus shot every 10 years.
All women should remember the keys to keeping healthy.
- Check your breasts every month.
- Get regular checkups and the shots you need.
- Do not smoke.
- Do not drink alcohol when you drive, swim, or boat.
- Eat many kinds of healthy foods.
- Keep a healthy weight.
- Exercise often.
- Get your teeth checked regularly by a dentist.
- Use a latex or polyurethane condom