Health

A Healthy Life: Advice for Women from their 20s to their 80s

Your guide to staying healthy at every age and stage of life

By Sanford Health

Your regular wellness visit is a great step in being preventive about your health. Your doctor will help you understand which screenings and vaccines are right for you based on your age, risk factors and health history.

Women should see their primary care doctor routinely for a wellness visit. During this time, your doctor will ask you about recent changes in your health and will identify if there are diseases you may be at risk for. Your risk factors can come from your medical history, your lifestyle, your family history of disease, or current medications that you are using.

These visits are often covered by insurance once a year at no additional cost to you.

Vaccinations may be recommended, such as the annual flu shot or the COVID-19 vaccine. They are viewed as preventive medicine, something to keep you healthy and avoid a serious medical problems in the future.

Blood pressure measurements and other vital signs may indicate a risk for cardiovascular disease. Women are also screened for safety in their home (domestic violence), depression, and tobacco and alcohol use at their regular wellness visit. Preventive screenings are key to catching diseases early when they’re most treatable — and before they become serious.

Here’s a guide for preventive health for women by age. You may follow a different screening schedule or get additional screenings based on your needs.

WOMEN IN THEIR 20S NEED:

• Regular wellness visits • Cholesterol screening once between the ages of 21 to 29 • Vaccinations, including the HPV vaccination given up to age 45 • Cervical cancer screening every three years starting at age 21 • Practice breast self-awareness at home

WOMEN IN THEIR 30S NEED:

• Regular wellness visits • Cholesterol screenings every five years between the ages of 30 to 44 • Vaccinations • Cervical cancer screening every five years • Practice breast self-awareness at home

WOMEN IN THEIR 40S NEED:

• Regular wellness visits • Cholesterol screenings every five years between the ages of 30 to 44 and annually starting at age 45 • Annual mammogram • Vaccinations • Cervical cancer screening every five years • Colorectal cancer screenings starting at age 45 – stool tests every 1-3 years or colonoscopy every 10 years • Practice breast self-awareness at home

WOMEN IN THEIR 50S NEED:

• Regular wellness visits • Annual cholesterol screening • Annual mammogram • Vaccinations, including the shingles vaccine • Cervical cancer screening every five years • Colorectal cancer screenings • Practice breast self-awareness at home

WOMEN IN THEIR 60S NEED:

• Regular wellness visits • Annual cholesterol screening • Annual mammogram • Vaccinations • Cervical cancer screening every five years through age 65 • Colorectal cancer screenings • Practice breast self-awareness at home

WOMEN IN THEIR 70S NEED:

• Regular wellness visits • Annual cholesterol screening • Annual mammogram • Vaccinations • Pap smear and HPV Cotest or an HPV test every five years through age 65 • Colorectal cancer screenings through age 75; talk to your provider if screening beyond 75 is needed • Practice breast self-awareness at home

WOMEN IN THEIR 80S NEED:

• Regular wellness visits • Annual cholesterol screening • Annual mammogram • Vaccinations • Practice breast self-awareness at home

As you can see, screenings for women are not “one size fits all.” Talk with your provider to determine your risk factors and the right screening schedule for you. n

S

Quality art, stones & crystals, vintage, up-cycled, repurposed, reimagined, and boutique items!

27102 Albers Ave. (East off I29 and the Tea Exit) | 605.213.0045 Mon-Fri 10am-5:30pm | Sat-Sun 10am-4pm

DO YOU HAVE Curly Curly Hair? Hair?

TRISTATE CURLS SPECIALIZES IN DRY CUTTING, COLORING AND STYLING OF CURLY HAIR

• Wavy/Curly Cuts

• Special Occasion • Kid Curly Cuts • Wash and Style Sets • Curlights, Highlights, Pintura • Facial Waxing and Tinting • Color

712.754.2875 | tristatecurls.com | 235 9th St | Sibley, IA tristatecurls Tristate Curls Co.