Answer:

While not all medical organizations agree on what you need and when, here¡¯s what the National Women¡¯s Health Information Center suggests:

• Thyroid test ¨C every five years beginning at age 35
• Blood pressure test ¨C Every two years beginning at age 18
• Cholesterol test ¨C Start at age 20 and let your doctor suggest frequency.
• Bone mineral density test ¨C Have baseline test around age 40 and let your doctor decide on frequency.
• Blood sugar test (diabetes) ¨C Every three years beginning at age 45
• Mammogram ¨C Beginning at age 40, every one to two years
• Pap test/Pelvic exam ¨C Every one to three years if you are sexually active, up to age 65. After age 65 let your doctor decide on frequency.
• Colorectal health testing ¨C Yearly flexible sigmoidoscopy with fecal occult blood test beginning at age 50. After that every five years if not having a colonoscopy.
• Colonoscopy ¨C Every 10 years beginning at age 50.

Talk to your doctor about a screening plan that is best for you.