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    Female Health Screening Guidelines, Ages 50 to 64

    Screening tests are key to managing your health. A screening test is done to find problems in people who don't have any symptoms. Screening tests are not used to diagnose. They are used to find out if more testing is needed. The goal may be to find a disease early so it can be treated with more success. Or the goal may be to find a disease early so you can make lifestyle changes.

    Below are guidelines for those who are ages 50 to 64. Work with your doctor. Make sure you're up to date on what you need.

    Screening

    Who needs it

    How often

    Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes

    Those in this age group who are overweight or have obesity, or who had gestational diabetes

    At least every 3 years

    Type 2 diabetes

    Those in this age group with prediabetes

    Every year

    Unhealthy alcohol use

    All those in this age group

    At routine exams

    Blood pressure

    All those in this age group

    Once a year if your blood pressure is normal. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg. If your blood pressure is higher than this, follow the advice of your doctor.

    Breast cancer

    Those in this age group at average risk. Expert groups vary on their advice so talk with your doctor about your specific situation.

    A mammogram is advised every 1 or 2 years. Talk with your doctor about your risk factors. Ask how often you need one.

    • The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises a mammogram every 2 years starting at age 40.
    • The American Cancer Society advises yearly mammograms through ages 45 to 54 and mammograms every 1 to 2 years for those ages 55 and older.

    Everyone should know how their breasts normally look and feel. They should know the benefits and risks of breast cancer screening with mammograms.

    Cervical cancer

    All those in this age group, unless they have had a complete hysterectomy

    Primary HPV test every 5 years, a cotest (an HPV test with a Pap test) every 5 years, or a Pap test every 3 years. In some cases, you may be able to collect your own HPV test sample and be tested every 3 years.Talk with your doctor about your risks and whether you need screening more often.

    Chlamydia

    Those who are sexually active and at higher risk of infection

    At yearly routine exams

    Colorectal cancer

    Those in this age group at average risk

    Talk with your doctor about which test below is right for you:

    • Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
    • Colonoscopy every 10 years
    • CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years
    • Yearly fecal occult blood test
    • Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
    • Stool DNA with FIT test every 3 years

    If you have a test that is not a colonoscopy and have an abnormal test result, you will need a colonoscopy.

    You may need to be screened more or less often. This is based on personal or family health history. Talk with your doctor.

    Depression

    All adults

    At routine exams, including everyone who is pregnant or postpartum

    Gonorrhea

    Those who are sexually active and who are at higher risk of infection

    At yearly routine exams

    Hepatitis C

    All adults

    At least one time. If you keep having risk (for example, you inject drugs), your doctor may test you again.

    Anyone who is pregnant should be tested during each pregnancy.

    High cholesterol or triglycerides

    All adults

    • At least every 5 years up to age 55.
    • Those who are ages 55 to 65 should be screened every 1 to 2 years.

    Talk with your doctor about your risk and how often to get screened.

    HIV

    All adults

    At least once between the ages of 13 and 64. Those who are at ongoing risk should be screened more often. Talk with your doctor about your risk and how often to be screened.

    Lung cancer

    Those in this age group who are in fairly good health, are at higher risk for lung cancer, and who:

    • Smoke or used to smoke (quit within the past 15 years)
    • Have a 20 pack-year smoking history (1 pack a day for 20 years or 2 packs a day for 10 years)

    Expert groups vary in their advice. Talk with your doctor.

    Yearly lung cancer screening with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT). Talk with your doctor.

    Obesity

    All adults

    At routine exams

    Osteoporosis

    Those who are postmenopausal

    Talk with your doctor.

    Syphilis

    Those who are at higher risk of infection

    Talk with your doctor.

    Tuberculosis

    Those who are at higher risk of infection

    Talk with your doctor.

    Vision

    All adults

    At least every 1 to 2 years or as directed by your doctor

    Health counseling

    Who needs it

    How often

    BRCA gene mutation testing for breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility

    Those who are at higher risk of having this gene mutation. Talk with your doctor.

    When your risk is known

    Breast cancer and chemoprevention

    Those who are at high risk for breast cancer. Talk with your doctor.

    When your risk is known

    Diet and exercise

    Those who are overweight or have obesity

    When diagnosed, and then at routine exams

    Sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention

    Those who are at higher risk of infection. Talk with your doctor.

    At routine exams

    Use of tobacco and the health effects it can cause

    All adults

    Every exam

    Online Medical Reviewer: Rita Sather RN
    Online Medical Reviewer: Stacey Wojcik MBA BSN RN
    Online Medical Reviewer: Susan K. Dempsey-Walls RN
    Date Last Reviewed: 5/1/2024
    © 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
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    Southern New Mexico
    Surgery Center

    2301 Indian Wells Rd. Suite B
    Alamogordo, NM 88310
    www.snmsc.org

    Phone: 575.437.0890
    Fax: 575.437.0905
    Email: info@snmsc.org

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