Here are the screening tests and immunizations that most women midlife women need. Although you and your healthcare provider may decide that a different schedule is best for you, this plan can guide your discussion.
Who: All women
When: Yearly mammogram should be done until age 54. At age 55 switch to mammograms every other year or may choose to continue yearly mammograms.
Note: Recommendation from American Cancer Society.
Who: All women, except those who have had a hysterectomy with removal of the cervix for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or serious precancer
When: Pap test every 3 years or Pap test with human papillomavirus (HPV) test every 5 years
Who: Adults age 55 to 80 who have smoked
When: Yearly screening in smokers with 30 packs per year history of smoking or who quit within 15 years.
Who: All adults starting at age 50
When: According to the American Cancer Society (ACS): For tests that find polyps and cancer:
For tests that primarily find cancer:
The tests that are designed to find both early cancer and polyps are preferred if these tests are available to you and you are willing to have one of these more invasive tests. Talk with your doctor about which test is best for you.
Some people should be screened using a different schedule because of their personal history or family history. Talk with your doctor about your history and what colorectal cancer screening schedule is best for you.
Who: All adults beginning at age 45, and adults with no symptoms at any age who are overweight or obese and have one or more additional risk factors for diabetes
When: At least every three years
Who: All adults
When: At routine exams
Who: All adults
When: Every two years if your blood pressure reading is less than 120/80 mm Hg, or yearly if systolic blood pressure reading of 120 to 139 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure reading of 80 to 89 mm Hg
Who: Women at increased risk for infection
When: At routine exams if at risk
Who: All adults in clinical practices that have staff and systems in place to assure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and follow-up
When: At routine exams
Who: All women ages 45 and older at increased risk for coronary artery disease
When: At least every five years
Who: All adults
When: At routine exams
Who: Women at age 60 who are at increased risk for fractures caused by osteoporosis
When: Check with your healthcare provider
Who: Anyone at increased risk for infection
When: Check with your healthcare provider
Who: All adults
When: Every one to two years; if you have a chronic disease, check with your healthcare provider for exam frequency
Note: Recommendation from the American Academy of Ophthalmology
Recommended for women ages 55 to 79 years when the potential benefit of reducing strokes outweighs the potential harm of an increase in gastrointestinal bleeding
When: When risk is identified; discuss with your healthcare provider before starting
Who: Anyone at increased risk; One time for those born between 1945 and 1965
When: At routine exams
Who: Sexually active women who are at increased risk for infection
When: At routine exams if at risk
Who: Anyone at increased risk for infection
When: At routine exams if at risk
Who: All women
When: At routine exams if at risk
Who: Women at high risk
When: When risk is identified
Who: Women with increased risk
When: When risk is identified
Who: Adults who are overweight or obese
When: When diagnosed and at routine exams
Who: All adults
When: Every exam
Who: At risk adults
What: One to three doses
Who: All adults
When: One-time Tdap booster, then Td every 10 years
Who: All adults in this age group who have no record of previous infection or vaccinations
When: One or two doses
Note: Exceptions may exist, please check with your healthcare provider.
Who: Adults ages 50 to 64 who have no previous infection or documented vaccinations.
When: Two doses; the second dose should be given at least 4 weeks after the first dose
Note: Exceptions may exist, please check with your healthcare provider.
Who: All adults
When: Yearly, when the vaccine becomes available in the community
Who: People at risk
When: Two doses given six months apart
Note: For complete list, see the CDC website.
Who: People at risk
When: Three doses; second dose should be given one month after the first dose; the third dose should be given at least 2 months after the second dose (and at least four months after the first dose).
Note: For complete list, see the CDC website
Who: People at risk
What and when: PCV13: One dose ages 19 to 65 (protects against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria) PPSV23: 1 to 2 doses through age 64, or One dose at 65 or older (protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria).
Note: For complete list, see the CDC website
Who: All women ages 60 and older
What: One dose
Note: Exceptions may exist, please check with your healthcare provider
Other guidelines are from the USPSTF
Immunization schedule from the CDC