12 health check-ups that every woman should take

Scheduling routine health screenings can detect potential problems early and every woman should make time for it as regular screening may prevent disease complications, improve quality of life and even save your life. They’re vital for your health as are regular exercise, stress management and choosing the right foods.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Ranjana Becon, Consultant – Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Manipal Hospital in Ghaziabad shared, “After a certain age, the human body is more vulnerable to many serious health problems. When it comes to women, they often ignore those small warning signs which could be a potential symptom of a major disease. Therefore, it is very important for women to get into the habit of routine check-ups to identify any health problem at its initial stage.”

She listed 12 health check-ups that every woman should take. These include:

1. Blood pressure test- Most women suffer from hypertension, especially after pregnancy. Blood pressure problems increase the problems of heart ailments, and it is very important to keep it under check on a regular basis.

2. Bone Density test- After a certain age, women lose their bone density very quickly in comparison to men. Hence, one must start getting tested at age 50.

3. Thyroid Test – Thyroxine and triiodothyronine are two essential hormones secreted by the thyroid glands. The problem of hyperactive or underactive thyroid glands affects the majority of women. Thus, this makes it imperative for women to regularly get themselves tested for thyroid.

4. Pap and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) tests- It is recommended to take a Pap and HPV screening between the age of 20 to 30 years to identify signs of cervical cancer and HPV virus at an early stage. Women ages between 21 and 29 should have a Pap test every three years and for women aged 25 to 29, HPV testing alone can be considered, although Pap tests are preferred.

5. Mammogram- From the age of 40 years, it is recommended to take annual screening to detect early signs of breast cancer.

6. BMI Index – From the age of 18, it is necessary to keep track of your body mass index as obesity can increase the risk of heart disease and affect your other organs as it’s a leading cause of hypertension and blood sugar.

7. Eye exam- From the age of 18 years, it is advised to get regular screening done.

8. Cholesterol test- The problem of high cholesterol increases the risk of heart problems. Therefore, one must get regular screening done to keep the cholesterol level in check.

9. Sexually transmitted diseases (STD)- One of the disadvantages of STD is that it shows no proper symptoms at an early stage. If a person is suffering from it, STD can be transmitted and passed on to your child and partner. Hence, it is advised to get regular screening done if a woman is sexually active.

10. Colonoscopy- With the help of this test, one can detect symptoms of colon cancer at an early stage, and with timely intervention, proper treatment can be carried out.

11. Hearing test- Hearing problems are on a rise and affect the quality of life. Not only that, but it can also deteriorate the mental health of a person. Every 10 years, women are recommended to get screening done after the age of 50.

12. Get your skin checked – At the age of 18, get your skin checked for abnormal moles or color changes on a monthly basis, especially if you’re fair-skinned or frequently exposed to the sun. At the age of 40, you should begin having yearly full-body skin checks with your dermatologist.