Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/494026
Women of all ages benefi t from routine tests for medical conditions, including high blood pressure and cervical cancer. While the screenings you need at each age largely depend on your family history and any existing health concerns, this wellness guide can help maximize your health. You may not want to take time out of your busy schedule for annual wellness exams. But•good health often depends on a dose of preventive medicine. Make this your best year for wellness. Become a We Woman 20 s Your & 30 s During Middle Age The Golden Years Yearly mammograms are recommended at age 40 and continue for as long as a woman is in good health. Beginning at age 50, women should have a colonoscopy every 10 years or a CT colonography or double-contrast enema every fi ve years to test for colorectal cancer and polyps. The average woman has her last menstrual cycle at age 51, although some women have their last cycle in their 40s or late 50s. If you are bothered by menopause symptoms, talk with your doctor. You can see a gynecologist, geriatrician, general practitioner or internist to best decide how to manage these "change of life" years. See your doctor for a blood pressure check annually and continue having cholesterol and diabetes screenings every three to fi ve years. A DEXA bone density scan, used to diagnose osteoporosis, is also recommended at age 65. Your health plan may help pay for tests to fi nd disease early as well as routine wellness exams to help you stay well. Talk with your doctor about the care that is right for you. Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE), a physical exam done by a health care provider, as part of a regular medical checkup to screen for breast cancer. You should start getting regular Pap tests at age 21. The Pap test is a reliable test to screen for cervical cancer, and is usually performed every three years if test results are normal. Blood pressure screenings that check your risk for heart disease and stroke are often overlooked by young women since there are usually no symptoms for high blood pressure. Be sure to get it checked every two years, starting at age 20. If you're thinking about starting a family, it is recommended that you see your doctor three months to one year before you attempt to become pregnant. Your health care provider will ask questions about your health and lifestyle, checking for any current or past conditions that might affect your ability to get pregnant. Preconception checkups allow physicians to look for obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and other conditions that might require extra monitoring during pregnancy. Think about preconception care as preventive medicine for you and for the child you're planning to conceive. To find a primary care doctor, visit christushealth.org and select "Find a Physician." Paging Dr. Right The internet has made it simple to fi nd a doctor on your own, in a matter of minutes. But do you want to search online reviews for your doctor the same way you do a restaurant or an electrician? Probably not. Here's how to fi nd the primary care physician who's right for you. 1. Start with your health plan. Review your insurance plan and select a doctor who is in your network. Call the doctor's of- fi ce to make sure it still accepts your insurance and is accepting new patients. Using an in-network doctor will save you money on offi ce visits, laboratory work and other health costs. 2. Interview. Find a doctor when you're healthy, so you don't have to scramble when you have bronchitis. Many people schedule consulta- tions while searching for a new doctor. These appointments can be helpful to determine your comfort level. Did you feel rushed? Were your questions answered? You should feel like you can ask or tell your doctor anything — even things you wouldn't discuss with your closest girlfriends. 3. Ask about offi ce policies. Where are the doctor's admitting privi- leges if you need to go to a hospital? How long does it take to schedule an appointment? Can you make same-day appointments? 11 LiveWell | Spring 2015