March is Women’s Health Month, and taking care of your long-term health is crucial. We spoke with physicians from Pembroke Pines to Port St. Lucia to gather a comprehensive list of health checks that every woman should undergo at every age and stage of life.
Dr. Christopher Chang, an acclaimed physician in allergy and immunology at Joe DiMaggio Hospital in Pembroke Pines, emphasized the importance of going beyond the checklist. If you are experiencing symptoms such as recurrent infections or pneumonia, further testing or referrals to a specialist may be necessary.
For women aged 18-39, it is recommended to undergo cervical cancer screening, PAP and HPV testing, gonorrhea and chlamydia screening, contraception counseling or screening for contraception, and receive recommended immunizations.
As women age into their 40s and 60s, important tests include breast cancer screening, colorectal cancer screening, glaucoma screening, melanoma screening, lung cancer screening, osteoporosis screening.
Women over 65 should consider a fall risk assessment and fall prevention program; hearing screenings; osteoporosis screenings; memory loss evaluations; assessment for elder abuse/neglect; regular health checks and screenings are all essential for maintaining good health at every stage of a woman’s life.
It is crucial that women take proactive measures in maintaining their health by undergoing routine check-ups and screenings at every stage of life. This will help detect potential health issues early on and prevent them from becoming more serious in the future.