Health Checklist for Women Over 40

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Print out this list to keep track of tests and procedures you need after the age of 40 and take it with you to your next doctor’s appointment.

Breast cancer screening

Procedure/test:	What it does:	Starting at age:	How often:	Date performed/results:
Mammogram	Checks for breast cancer	40 (or earlier with certain risk factors)	Every 1 to 2 years, depending on risk
Doctor’s breast exam	May detect breast cancers missed by mammography	20	Annually; Every three years for women 20-40

Cervical cancer screening (one of the following)

Procedure/test:	What it does:	Starting at age:	How often:	Date performed/results:
Pap smear and pelvic exam	Checks for cervical cancer	21	Every three years. Women older than 65 may be able to stop testing if your doctor says you’re low risk.
HPV DNA test and pelvic exam	HPV is a virus that is known to cause cervical cancer	30	The PAP every three years and HPV every five years until age 65, or as recommended by your doctor. Women older than 65 may be able to stop testing if your doctor says you’re low risk.
Pap smear plus HPV DNA test and pelvic exam	Some experts recommend as more precise means to check for cervical cancer	30	Every five years until age 65, or as recommended by your doctor. Women older than 65 may be able to stop testing if your doctor says you’re low risk.

Colorectal cancer screening

*Your doctor will pick which screening test is best for you. Your screening schedule may be different depending on your personal and family history.

Heart disease screening

Procedure/test:	What it does:	Starting at age:	How often:	Date performed/results:
Blood cholesterol test	Measures amount of total cholesterol, “bad” LDL, and “good” HDL cholesterol circulating in the blood. Levels of triglycerides, another blood fat, are also usually checked.	20	Every 5 years, or at your doctor’s discretion
Blood pressure check	Measures blood pressure, an indicator of heart risk	18	At least every other year, more often if reading is above normal
Fasting plasma glucose	Measures blood sugar, an indicator of diabetes risk	45, or younger if you are overweight with BMI > 25kg/m2 and have other risk factors such as hypertension or high cholesterol	Every three years if in normal range, or at your doctor’s discretion

Bone health

Procedure/test:	What it does:	Starting at age:	How often:	Date performed/results:
Bone mineral density test	Used as an indicator of bone strength and osteoporosis risk	65, or earlier for women with previous fragility fractures; a family history of osteoporosis; on medications that cause bone loss; or have problems with calcium absorption	At your doctor’s discretion

Sexual health

If you are sexually active and have a higher risk for STDs, get tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis yearly. Take an HIV test at least once, more frequently if you’re at risk.

Vaccines/immunizations

Procedure/test:	What it does:	Starting at age:	How often:	Date performed/results:
Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Td/Tdap) booster	Restores protection against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) infection	Varies. Recommended in the third trimester of each pregnancy.	One dose of Tdap as a booster, and then a Td booster every 10 years
Pneumonia vaccine	Provides lifelong protection against pneumonia	65 or earlier in people with risk factors, such as heart failure, lung disease, alcoholism, and others	Two shots if given at age 65 or later. May need to be repeated in people who have certain medical conditions who received it before the age of 65
Influenza vaccine	Provides protection against common influenza strains	Everyone 6 months of age and older	Yearly
Shingrix	To help protect against shingles	50	Two doses 2-6 months apart

Other important screenings

Skin exams. Most skin cancers are curable. Ask your doctor to check your skin any time you find any moles or skin changes.
Eye exams. Be sure to get your eyes examined regularly — every 1 to 2 years until age 60 — to check for common problems like presbyopia, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Go more often if you have vision problems or risk factors for eye problems.
Hepatitis C. The CDC recommends that anyone over the age of 18 get tested for hepatitis C at least once in a lifetime. It also recommends the test for people who are pregnant.

NOTE: Guidelines for screening vary. This is a compilation of generally accepted major screening recommendations from national health organizations and experts, but it is by no means comprehensive or a substitute for your doctor’s advice.

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Print out this list to keep track of tests and procedures you need after the age of 40 and take it with you to your next doctor’s appointment.

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