Screening for adult women
Here are the screening tests and immunizations that most adult women need. This plan doesn't include recommendations for pregnancy. Your provider may recommend a different schedule, but this plan can guide your discussion.
Cancer screenings
here is a short description
Who: All women
When: All women in this age group should talk with their healthcare providers about breast self-awareness. Screening with a mammogram every year is an option starting at age 40. At age 45 start yearly mammograms.
Our breast health task force has a more stringent recommendation. Please see our SCL Health mammography screening guidelines.
Who: All women, except those who had a hysterectomy (with removal of the cervix) for reasons not related to cervical cancer and no history of cervical cancer or serious precancer
When: Women between the ages of 30 and 65 should have a Pap test plus an HPV test (called "co-testing") every five years. This is the preferred approach, but it is also acceptable to continue to have Pap tests alone every three years.
Other screenings
Who: All adults beginning at age 45, and adults with no symptoms at any age who are overweight or obese and have one or more additional risk factors for diabetes
When: At least every three years
Who: All adults
When: At routine exams
Who: All adults
When: Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure recommends the following screening schedules:
- Every two years if your blood pressure reading is less than 120/80 mm Hg, or
- Yearly if systolic blood pressure reading of 120 to 139 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure reading of 80 to 89 mm Hg
Who: Women at increased risk for infection
When: At routine exams if at risk
Who: All adults in clinical practices that have staff and systems in place to assure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and follow-up
When: At routine exams
Who: Sexually active women at increased risk for infection
When: At routine exams if at risk
Who: Anyone at increased risk; One time for those born between 1945 and 1965
When: At routine exams if at risk
Who: All women
When: At routine exams
Who: All women age 45 and older at increased risk for coronary artery disease
When: For women ages 19 to 44, screening should be based on risk factors; discuss with your healthcare provider
Note: Recommendation from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Who: At least every five years
When: All adults
Who: Women at increased risk for infection
When: At routine checkups
Who: Anyone at increased risk for infection
When: Check with your healthcare provider
Counseling
Who: Women at high risk; ask your healthcare provider.
When: When risk is identified
Who: Women with increased risk
When: When risk is identified
Who: Adults who are overweight or obese
When: When diagnosed and at routine exams
Who: Women of child-bearing age
When: At routine exams
Who: All adults
When: Every exam
Vaccinations
Who: All adults
When: Td: every 10 years.
Tdap: substitute a one-time dose of Tdap for a Td booster after age 18, then boost with Td every 10 years
Who: All adults in this age group who have no record of previous infection or vaccinations
When: Two doses; the second dose should be given at least 4 weeks after the first dose
Who: All adults in this age group who have no record of previous infection or vaccinations
What: One or two doses
Who: All adults
When: Yearly, when the vaccine becomes available in the community
Who: People at risk; talk to your healthcare provider
What and when: Two doses given at least 6 months apart
Note: For complete list, see the CDC website.
Who: People at risk; talk to your healthcare provider
When: 3 doses; the second dose should be given 1 month after the first dose; the third dose should be given at least 2 months after the second dose (and at least 4 months after the first dose)
Note: For complete list, see the CDC website
Who: People at risk; talk to your healthcare provider
When: 1 to 3 doses
Note: For complete list, see the CDC website
Who: People at risk; talk to your healthcare provider
When: One or two doses
Note: For complete list, see the CDC website
Who: People at risk; talk to your healthcare provider
When: One or two doses
Other guidelines are from the USPSTF
Immunization schedule from the CDC