Here’s a quick rundown of 20-plus tests that experts recommend for women—don’t worry, you don’t need them all at once. But get to know them, and your body will thank you.
Annual screenings, preferably by an ophthalmologist, although you should feel free to see an optometrist. Also, a glaucoma and cataract screening at age 50 and beyond, or earlier if you’re diabetic or if you’re experiencing double vision, blurriness, or headaches. (African-American women should begin glaucoma screening at age 40 because their risk is higher.)
Glaucoma screening in your 30s if you have a family history of early glaucoma.
At age 40, a baseline audiogram (which measures your ability to hear sounds at different pitches) done by a licensed audiologist.
An audiogram at any age if you’re experiencing hearing loss—if you ask people to repeat themselves, for instance, or if you feel as if your ears are always plugged.
Annual screening for depression by your primary care physician. It could be a simple two-question test: 1) In the past two weeks, have you been feeling down, depressed, or hopeless? 2) Have you lost interest in things you used to enjoy? Answer yes to either or both, and depression is a possibility.
At age 50, a thyroid test every five years. The screening checks for an underactive or overactive thyroid.
The same test when you’re younger if you have inconsistent periods, unexplained weight gain or loss, heart palpitations, difficulty getting pregnant, or a sluggish postpartum feeling.
Twice-a-year checkups by a dentist to screen for cavities and gum disease, and a visual check for oral cancer. If you have red or white lesions that aren’t canker sores, then there’s a chance you’ll be referred to an oral surgeon for an inner-cheek-swab cancer test.
Annual full-body visual scan by your primary care physician to check for skin cancer—or by a dermatologist if you have fair skin or a family history of skin cancer.
Baseline bone density scan, or DEXA, at age 65 to see if you’re at risk for bone loss (it’s OK to be tested in your 40s or 50s if you or your doctor is concerned). Do it at age 35 if you weigh less than 127 pounds, have a family history of osteoporosis, take corticosteroids for a condition like asthma, or have a history of unexplained fractures.
Annual breast exam by a doctor beginning at age 18 and annual mammograms beginning at age 40. Formal self-exams? Experts don’t agree about their value. Many recommend just touching your breasts regularly so you’re familiar with any changes.
If you have first-degree relatives who had or have breast cancer, talk to your doctor about starting screening earlier than normal, and about MRI and gene tests, too.
Yearly blood pressure check and physical exam, including checks for murmurs (sounds that may indicate a narrow or leaky valve) or for an irregular heartbeat. Cholesterol tests (including HDL, LDL, total triglycerides, and total cholesterol) beginning at age 20 (if normal, repeat every five years). And a blood-glucose test to screen for diabetes at age 45, repeated every three years.
At age 50, a colonoscopy (a full examination of the colon) to screen for colorectal cancer; if normal, repeat exam in 10 years.
An upper endoscopy (in which a video camera looks inside your esophagus) if you suffer from chronic heartburn (or if food routinely feels stuck after you’ve swallowed it) to screen for Barrett’s esophagus, a precursor to cancer.
An annual pelvic exam, including manual tests of the uterus and ovaries. If you’re 30 or older, a Pap smear with a human papillomavirus (HPV) test to screen for cervical cancer; if normal, repeat in three years if you don’t change sexual partners or haven’t had any abnormal Paps in previous years. Also, a digital rectal exam every five to 10 years beginning at age 50.