Yesterday we celebrated our wonderful moms--the women who take care of us. Today we need to remind ourselves to also take good care of ourselves and schedule a regular checkup for early detection of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other conditions.
Click on the link, for more information on National Women's Checkup Day.
Here is a brief list of reminders, ask your Dr for a complete list. As you grow older, continue to do the checks recommended from previous decade.
30s
blood pressure
cholesterol check
pap smear
self mole check (every month)
tetanus booster shot
thyroid check (start at age 35)
40s
mammogram
eye exam, screen for glaucoma
diabetes screening
50s
colonoscopy every 5-10 years
hearing check
60s
eye exam, check for macular degeneration
pneumonia vaccine
osteoporosis screening/bone density check
Why do so many women avoid getting screened if the tests are so important? Perhaps it is because women are so busy caring for everyone else. And they end up delaying the medical appointment and tests for a week or two, and that delay ends up being a month or two, then a year or two.
According to WomensHealth.gov:
"Screening tests, such as mammograms and Pap tests, can find diseases early, when they are easier to treat. Some women need certain screening tests earlier, or more often, than others."
It’s Your Time! Schedule your checkup.