The mature woman smiles while shaking hands with the female healthcare professional as she introduces herself.

Regular healthcare visits with their primary care physician are important for women of all ages.  At these visits, the healthcare provider can screen for a variety of health issues, provide preventive care services, update vaccines, assess risks for potential medical problems, and recommend healthy lifestyle choices.  As people age, it’s more likely they will develop medical issues.  Just because there have been no past problems doesn’t mean changes won’t occur that will impact our future health.  The following are some of the health screenings that are recommended for older women.

Blood Pressure Checks

There are often no symptoms with high blood pressure, so it’s important to have periodic checks.  Those with high blood pressure are at increased risk for heart attacks and strokes.  High blood pressure forces the heart to work harder to pump blood through the body.  Women who have diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or are overweight need more frequent screenings.

Breast Cancer Screenings

Portrait of a senior woman on a mammogram exam at hospital

It’s recommended that women get a mammogram every 1-2 years until age 75.  Breast cancer that is detected early is more likely to be successfully treated.  3D mammography is more precise and may particularly benefit women who have dense breast tissue.

Osteoporosis Screening

Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become brittle, fragile, and more prone to breakage.  Early stages of osteoporosis usually have no visible symptoms.  Women aged 65 and older should have a bone density test to assess their risk.  Post menopausal women are at higher risk for bone loss, which contributes to fractures of the hip, wrist, and spinal vertebrae.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Women should be screened for colorectal cancer until age 75.  Several types of screening tests are available including stool tests, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy.  These screenings should be repeated periodically, depending on the type of test.  Women who have ulcerative colitis, polyps, or a family history of colorectal cancer will need more frequent screenings.

Cholesterol Screening

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death for women.  A woman’s risk for developing coronary artery disease increases after menopause.  Simple blood tests performed in the physician’s office can identify high cholesterol and high triglyceride levels, which can raise the risk for coronary artery disease.

Next Steps

RMD Primary Care treats many women’s health issues.  Our physicians can make referrals for mammograms, bone density tests, and colonoscopies.  Contact our office to schedule an appointment.