Essential Health Screening Tests for Women

As women, we all know that there certain health screening tests will become a part of our lives once we reach adulthood. Most of us dread a few of them, but all of then are necessary to assure that we maintain our health, and to pick up any problems as early as possible. Here is a look at the essential health screening tests that a women needs to make certain that she attends to at the intervals that are recommended by their health care practitioner. Pap Smear-- A Pap Smear is a test that screens for cervical cancer. The test was developed in the 1950's, and has allowed health care providers to have a means to detect this cancer in its early stages. A Pap Smear is done by having the vagina opened with a speculum, at which point a swab is introduced into the vagina, and the cervix is lightly scraped to gather cervical cells that will be analyzed under a microscope to look for any abnormal cells.
Most women should begin having Pap smears at age 21, unless you are sexually active and then your doctor many want you to begin having the test at an earlier age. There is a current debate about how often a Pap smear needs to be done, but most commonly it is performed once ever year to two years, unless there are any abnormalities. Most health care providers work very hard to make this test as comfortable as possible. Relaxing during the test helps a lot.
Mammogram--I had to begin having mammograms a few years ago, and while I wasn't scared, I wasn't excited, either. I had heard a lot of women talk about how uncomfortable a mammogram is--having your breast squeezed "flatter than a pancake." I did not find this test to be bad at all, and I have implants so the procedure is a bit more involved and difficult, as they have to find your actual breast tissue and pull it out far enough away from the implant to get a good image. I know, it sounds painful as heck, but it really wasn't.
A mammogram is a test that uses an x-ray to visualize the breast tissue from several angles, allowing the radiologist to look for tumors in the breast, even very tiny ones. This test is essential in detecting breast cancer as early as possible. In combination with monthly self breast exams, this test has saved many lives.
Again, as with the Pap smear, there is currently a lot of debate about the age at which mammograms should begin, and the frequency at which a woman should have the test. If you have no history of breast cancer in your family, most doctors recommend starting mammograms at at 50, and they are repeated yearly, or every other year.
Colonoscopy--I do not know anyone, man or woman, who looks forward to becoming 50, and having their first colonoscopy. In fact, I need to make my appointment--sigh. A colonoscopy is a test to screen for colon cancer. it is done by inserting a small scope the colon, through the anus. Thankfully, they drug you up pretty well, so that you shouldn't feel or remember a thing. The scope allows the physician to look at the colon, all the way up into the lower intestine. People who have colon cancer found early increase their chance of survival past 5 year to 90%. A colonoscopy need only be done every 10 years following the first one. That's good new, right?
Bone Density Test--Starting at age 60, women need to begin having bone density tests to determine if they are suffering from osteoporosis. This is one test that doesn't hurt a bit, and is quickly and easily done. The most accurate method of doing a bone density test require you to lie down on a platform while an arm like x-ray scanning machine passes over your body. It generally takes about 10 minutes. Since osteoporosis is a disease that causes bone loss after a women is in menopause, it is important to detect as thinning bones can mean bones that become brittle, and break easily.
All Of The Other Stuff--Hopefully, you are having annual physicals, at which your care provider will do a breast exam, and your blood pressure will be checked to see if you have hypertension, which is a dangerous condition with no symptoms. Your doctor will also weigh you to check to see if your BMI is within a normal range. If it is not, a weight loss plan will be recommended. Blood work will also be taken to check blood lipid levels to see if your cholesterol is too high. If it is, your doctor will help you with measures to lower it. Your thyroid hormone levels may also be checked, as will your red blood cell count to look for anemia.
Many women put off these screening test because they are busy with family and work, or they are afraid of the results. Some women have no health insurance, and they find the tests cost prohibitive. In many states there are free, or low cost, Pap smear and mammogram screenings. Whatever the cost, all of these test save lives, and every effort should be made to have them done as recommended. You'll be no good to that family you are caring for if you are sick, or no longer there to care of them.