Are you ready to be proactive?
“Loving yourself isn’t vanity. It’s sanity.” — Katrina Mayer
If you don’t take care of yourself, who will? Right! Here at Amazing over 40, we empower women of all ages to love themselves and take control of their physical, mental and spiritual health. Being proactive and knowing which tests you should obtain each year will allow you to live the happiest and healthiest life - at whatever age!
Here are my top 10 exams that women should NOT skip.
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Mole check - a yearly skin check with a board- certified Dermatologist to check for premalignant tumors as well as for melanoma. A simple biopsy may well save your life!
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STD and HIV testing - these STD tests are no longer just recommended for sexually active women under the age of 25, but also women who are forging out on the dating scene after years of being married. Before you sign up for one of the dating apps, please make sure to get tested before stepping into a new relationship. Recommended tests include screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea as well as HIV. And, make sure your partner gets tested too!
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Mammograms - Most women should obtain their baseline mammogram at age 40, unless there is family history of breast cancer, in which case start at 35. As a board-certified OB/GYN and member of the American College of OB-GYN, I recommend an annual mammogram ( 3-D/ Tomosynthesis) starting at age 40.
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Vitamin D screening - Just as your cholesterol should be checked annually, so should your Vit D level. Across the country, over 50% of women will be Vitamin D deficient.
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Pap smear - These are done to check for precancerous changes ( dysplasia) of the cervix. Testing should begin at age 21 and continue thereafter. Check with your GYN - as women in a monogamous relationship who are at low-risk, can have a Pap every 3-5 years if the Pap returns negative with a negative high-risk HPV ( Human Papillomavirus). Yet, an annual pelvic is still needed each year to check for any external abnormalities (vulva) , vaginal problems, uterine and ovarian problems.
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Colonoscopy - For the average woman, this can begin at the age of 45-50. If you have a family history of colon Cancer, check with your primary doctor regarding when you should get your first screening colonoscopy done.
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Dental exams - who thought teeth cleaning could be so important? Yes, the health of your teeth determines the extent of your body’s inflammation which leads to diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Go for your annual dental x-rays and get cleanings every 6 months.
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EKG - You should get a baseline EKG by the age of 40, earlier if you have a family history of heart disease. As you know, heart disease is the number 1 killer of women, ahead of cancer - starting early to establish a baseline is a smart idea for all women.
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CBC - Complete Blood Count. As a woman who is still menstruating, you will be losing a potentially significant amount of blood each month with your period. This can lead to anemia and severe fatigue. For my patients, I recommend a Well-Woman Panel each year - this includes a CBC, Comprehensive Chemistry Panel ( CMP), thyroid function tests, lipid panel ( cholesterol), Vitamin B12 and Vit D 25-OH level.
- Hormone screening - as we enter our late 30 and 40’s, our hormones may enter into a real roller coaster - having a doctor who can help navigate this journey is a life-saver. Levels of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone will be fluctuating and decreasing leading to many bothersome symptoms. But alas, there are LOTS of ways I can help!
As you can see, being proactive and up-to-date with your check-ups is critical! Please share these tips with your friends and family!
Also, please join me for my Free Badass Masterclass to learn more on May 25 at 5 pm PST. You won’t want to miss it! RSVP HERE!
- In health and happiness
