Here are the health screenings that most women at age 65 and older need. Although
you and your healthcare provider may decide that a different schedule is best for
you, this plan can guide your discussion. In addition, major organizations may vary
in recommendations on these prevention guidelines.
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Screening
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Who needs it
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How often
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Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
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All adults starting at age 35 and adults without symptoms at any age who are overweight
or obese and have one or more additional risk factors for diabetes
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At least every 3 years
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Alcohol use or misuse
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All adults
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At routine exams
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Blood pressure
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All adults
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Every year if your blood pressure reading is less than 120/80 mm Hg
If your blood pressure reading is higher than normal, follow the advice of your healthcare
provider
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Breast cancer
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All women of average risk. Expert groups vary on their advice. Talk with your provider
about your specific situation.
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A mammogram should be done every 1 or 2 years. Talk with your provider about your
risk factors. Ask how often you need the test. Ask what age you can stop.
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The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises a mammogram every 2 years through
age 74.
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The American Cancer Society advises screening every 1 to 2 years for women 55 and
older. They advise screening to continue as long as a woman is healthy and expected
to live 10 more years or longer.
All women should know how their breasts normally look and feel. They should know the
benefits and risks of breast cancer screening with mammograms.
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Cervical cancer
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According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), women older than 65 who have had regular
screening with normal results over the past 10 years do not need to be screened for
cervical cancer. Once screening is stopped, it should not be started again. Those
with a history of serious cervical precancer should continue to be tested for 25 years
after that diagnosis, even if testing goes past 65.
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Discuss with your healthcare provider
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Chlamydia
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Women at increased risk for infection
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At routine exams if at risk
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Colorectal cancer
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All women of average risk and in good health in this age group, through age 75. For
women ages 76 to 85, talk with your healthcare provider about continued screening.
For women 85 and older, experts don't advise screening.
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The ACS recommends:
Several tests are available and used at different times.
For tests that find polyps and cancer:
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Colonoscopy every 10 years (recommended), or
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Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
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CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years
For tests that primarily find cancer:
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Yearly fecal occult blood test or
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Yearly fecal immunochemical test every year, or
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Stool fecal immunochemical test plus DNA test, every 3 years
You will need a follow-up colonoscopy if you choose any test other than a colonoscopy
and you have an abnormal result. Screening recommendations vary among expert groups.
Talk with your healthcare provider about which test is best for you.
Some people should be screened using a different schedule because of their personal or
family history. Talk with your healthcare provider about your health history and what
colorectal cancer screening schedule is best for you.
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Depression
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All adults who have access to a clinical practice that has staff and systems in place
to assure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and follow-up
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At routine exams
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Gonorrhea
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Sexually active women who are at increased risk for infection
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At routine exams if at risk
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HIV
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Anyone at increased risk for infection
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At routine exams if at risk
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Hepatitis C
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Anyone at increased risk; one time for those born between 1945 and 1965
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At routine exams
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High cholesterol and triglycerides
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All women ages 20 and older at increased risk for coronary artery disease
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At least every 5 years, or more frequently if recommended by your healthcare provider
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Lung cancer
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Women between the ages of 50 and 80 who are in fairly good health, are at higher risk
for lung cancer, and who:
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Currently smoke or have quit smoking , and
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Have a 20-pack year history of smoking (1 pack/day for 20 years or 2 packs/day for
10 years)
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Yearly lung cancer screening with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT). Talk with your healthcare
provider about your risk and situation
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Obesity
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All adults
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At routine exams
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Osteoporosis, postmenopausal
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All women ages 65 and older
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Bone density test at age 65, then follow-up as recommended by healthcare provider
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Syphilis
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Anyone at increased risk for infection
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At routine exams if at risk
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Tuberculosis
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Anyone at increased risk for infection
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Check with your healthcare provider
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Vision
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All adults
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Every 1 to 2 years. If you have a chronic disease, check with your healthcare provider
for exam frequency
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