HEALTH & FITNESS
body talk
healthy
HOW TO BE
AT EVERY AGE
Our decade-by-decade checklists cover the essential medical tests you need—and why they’re important. TEXT GRACE TOBY
By 2036, the life expectancy for Canadian women is projected to rise from 83 to 87 years, and from age 79 to 84 for men. With this extended lease on life, plus ongoing medical advances and a better understanding of our personal health, the future is looking bright. Since an annual checkup with a family doctor is not always required, ensure that you understand your medical history, communicate health concerns to your doctor and stay on top of your medical screenings. Tailoring many of these preventive measures to your personal health regimen can go a long way toward thwarting potential illnesses and taking charge of your overall well-being.
60 | CANADIAN LIVING JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
YOUR 30s
PAP TEST If you’re not at high risk for cervical cancer, book a Pap smear every two to three years, depending on your provincial guidelines. It’s an effective way to check for cervical cancer for women aged 25 to 69, says the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care. A Pap test can also detect human papillomavirus (HPV), a group of more than 100 different types of viruses. Some provinces use HPV tests to follow up abnormal Pap results as part of their cervical cancer screening programs. HPV testing is most effective for women aged 30 and older.
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30s
Maintain established healthy habits, such as eating well and exercising, to set yourself up for success in later years. In addition, talk to your family members to find out if there are any hereditary issues you should discuss with your physician. Also be aware the average age at which Canadian women are having babies has increased over time to 30.2 years. “If you’re thinking about getting pregnant, prepare by taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid, quitting smoking and alcohol, and becoming physically active,” says Dr. Karen Fleming, interim chief in the department of family and community medicine at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and assistant professor in the department of family and community medicine at the University of Toronto.
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