Women are a busy breed. Whether we’re chauffeuring our kids from one extracurricular to another or our demanding jobs are forcing us to jump through hoops, we’re often pulled in many different directions. And, unfortunately, “me” time is one of the first things to go when our calendars fill up with obligations.
Although skipping a spa visit or a day of retail therapy might not hurt you in the long run, skipping those routine medical exams could.
Here are the appointments physicians stress are important enough to make the “calendar cut,” so pencil them in accordingly.
1. Annual OB-GYN visits
Despite new guidelines published this summer by the American College of Physicians stating that healthy women no longer need them, annual pelvic exams are absolutely necessary, said Dr. Susan Oakley, director of pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery with St. Elizabeth Physicians.
Breast exams generally are performed during these visits to check for abnormal masses, and pap smears are conducted to check for cervical cancer. Even if you’ve had your cervix removed and don’t need a cervical cancer screening, an OB-GYN should still check for abnormalities.
Additionally, Oakley says, women often assume they’ll be tested for sexually transmitted diseases during these annual appointments, but that’s not the case, so you should request your OB-GYN test you for STDs, especially if you’ve had a different partner or symptoms.
Much like taking a car in for a routine maintenance check and mentioning to the mechanic anything unusual going on, you shouldn’t shy away from discussing with your doctor anything happening with your body that is even mildly out of the ordinary.
2. Regular mammograms
Recommendations for women in the United States differ ““ the American Cancer Society, for instance, recommends screenings begin at age 40 and continue annually, while the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says screenings should begin at age 50 and continue every two years ““ but everyone agrees that mammograms are important.
Oakley’s advice? Get your first mammogram at age 40 and go from there.
3. Regular eye exams
Experts recommend seeing an eye doctor at least every two years and every year after age 60 to check for problems such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy.
4. Biannual dental visits
The standard recommendation by the American Dental Association for dental checkups and cleanings is twice a year.
That frequency helps your dentist check for problems such as damaged fillings, broken or loose teeth and indications of oral cancer, diabetes, vitamin deficiencies and gum disease.
Oral health is particularly important because many studies suggest a link between gum disease and conditions like heart disease.
5. Annual blood pressure and cholesterol screenings
Even though you might feel fine, irregular blood pressure or cholesterol levels can be sinister if not checked and managed early. To save yourself a trip to your primary care physician, you can request your OB-GYN check these levels during your annual pelvic exam visit. If your results came back abnormal, you might be referred elsewhere for follow-up.
6. Regular colonoscopies
The American Cancer Society recommends everyone at average risk for developing colorectal cancer to undergo a colonoscopy screening test beginning at age 50 and repeating every 10 years.
If you have a family history of polyps in the colon or cancer in the colon or rectum, though, tell your doctor. He or she likely will advise you to get the colonoscopy earlier.
