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10 Medical Tests Women Need This Year

These are the must haves when you visit your doctor in 2010.


1. Mammogram - A new government advisory panel recently upped the age of needing a mammogram to 50 if you don't have an elevated risk of cancer.  Now, low risk women ages 50 and older are supposed to get a mammo every 2 years.  If you have a personal or family history.


2. Skin Check - More than  1 million Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year.  The best way is to catch it early, when it's highly curable.  Checking yourself once a month for new or suspicious moles and getting a total exam from your doctor once a year are both good options.


3.  Eye Exam - You should be visiting the eye doctor yearly if you wear contact or glasses, and every other year if you don't.


4. Hearing Test - The standard for getting an audiogram that checks your hearing at a variety of pitches and intensities is once a year beginning at age 50.


5. Periodontal Exam - Once a year (during one of your twice-annual cleanings) your dentist should perform a periodontal exam, probing the health of your gums and taking X-rays. Gum inflammation, which can contribute to heart disease and diabetes.


6. TSH Screening - Are you cold, tired, achy, constipated, or gaining weight?  All of these are symptoms of hypothyroidism, a deficiency of the thyroid gland that strikes about 10% of women.  This is diagnosed with a thyroid stimulating hormon (TSH) blood test given during an annual exam starting at age 50 or earlier if you have symptoms.


7. Blood Tests - After a baseline screening for cholesterol levels in your 20s, get a blood test at least once every 5 years.  From age 40 up get your cholesterol and blood sugar tested every year.


8. Pap Smear -Starting at 21, regardless of sexual history, women should have a Pap smear every other year to look for signs of cervical cancer.  Those 30 and older should get tested once every 3 years if they've had 3 consecutive normal Pap smears.


9. Colonoscopy - During this test a camera scans your colon for cancerous polyps while you're sedated.  It's recommended for people 50 and older and should be repeated every 10 years (more often if polyps are found).  You should be getting one earlier if you have a family history of colon cancer or changes in bowel habits.


10. Depression Screening - Simple questions from your MD at your annual physical can rule out depression which affects 1 in 4 women but ofetn goes undiangosed.  If you're concerned about your mood, ask your doctor for this screening. 

Source: www.health.com