Preventive Screenings All Women Should Feel Empowered to Take!

1. Stroke / Carotid Artery Screening: Strokes are most commonly related to plaque build-up in the carotid artery. This ultrasound test is performed by applying gel and a transducer along your neck to view the carotid arteries for blockage.

2. Atrial Fibrillation: A ECG device is used to determine whether or not you have Atrial Fibrillation (AFIB), or an irregular heartbeat. Adults over 40 have a 1 in 4 chance of developing AFIB in their lifetime. A diagnosis of AFIB mans that your risk for stroke increases five-fold.

3. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening: An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a “ballooning” of the wall in the abdominal aorta. The majority of people with AAAs have no symptoms. If an AAA ruptures, the mortality rate is 80-90 percent. More than 15,000 U.S. residents per year die of AAAs. The good news is that AAAs can be identified via an ultrasound screening.

4. Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Screening: Eight to twelve million Americans suffer from PAD. It is 4-5 times more likely that you will die from heart disease if you have PAD. Ultrasound technology is used to screen for PAD (plaque buildup in the arms and legs).

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Includes screening for Stroke/Carotid artery, Atrial Fibrillation, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms and Peripheral Arterial Disease.

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Self Breast Exams (SBE):
SBE should be taught and performed routinely in women over the age of 20. An exam by a physician should be performed as part of the yearly gynecological exam. Once you learn how to do a thorough breast self-exam, it takes only a minute or two each month.

The best time for self breastexamination (SBE) is about a week after your period ends, when your breasts are not tender or swollen. If you are not having regular periods, do BSE on the same day every month. According to the American Cancer Society, the best method for doing a self breast exam is as follows:

• Lie down with a pillow under your right shoulder and place your right arm behind your head.
• Use the finger pads of the three middle fingers on your left hand to feel for lumps in the right breast.
• Press firmly enough to know how your breast feels. A firm ridge in the lower curve of each breast is normal. If you're not sure how hard to press, talk with your doctor or nurse.
• Move around the breast in a circular, up and down line, or wedge pattern. Be sure to do it the same way every time, check the entire breast area, and remember how your breast feels from month to month.
• Repeat the exam on your left breast, using the finger pads of the right hand. (Move the pillow to under your left shoulder.)
• If you find any changes, see your doctor right away.
• Repeat the examination of both breasts while standing, with your one arm behind your head. The upright position makes it easier to check the upper and outer part of the breasts (toward your armpit). This is where about half of breast cancers are found. You may want to do the standing part of the BSE while you are in the shower. Some breast changes can be felt more easily when your skin is wet and soapy.
• For added safety, you can check your breasts for any dimpling of the skin, changes in the nipple, redness, or swelling while standing in front of a mirror right after your BSE each month.

Mammography:
Both the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the CDC recommend that women get regular mammograms starting at age 40. Most experts feel that a mammogram should be done every 1-2 years between age 40 and 50. A yearly mammogram is recommend after age 50.

See Breast Cancer

Colon Cancer Screening:
Beginning at age 45, a rectal exam may be performed as part of a routine exam. Testing for blood in your stool should begin by age 50. A number of screening tests may be performed at age 50, including: 1) Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT) -- a test to check for blood in the stool. 2) Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years. 3) Yearly fecal occult blood test plus sigmoidoscopy every five years. 4) Double-contrast barium enema every five years. 5)Colonoscopy every 10 years.

Pap Smear:
Most physicians believe that pap smears should be done on all women at the onset of sexual activity or at age 18. Most women should have a pap smear performed on a yearly basis as part of a routine physical exam. Less frequent pap smears should only be performed at the discretion of the doctor and patient after normal pap smears occur for three consecutive years. After a hysterectomy, routine pap smear testing is not mandatory unless the hysterectomy was done for cervical cancer or dysplasia. Of note, this does not mean that a gynecologic exam does not need to be done yearly. A complete physical exam, including breast exam and pelvic exam should be considered a routine exam for all women.

See Gynecological Center

Laboratory Testing:
Laboratory testing should be considered at 45 – 50 years of age. Tests that should be considered include a fasting cholesterol profile, complete blood count, thyroid test (called a TSH test), and fasting blood sugar (called glucose). If results are normal in a healthy woman, testing should occur every 3-5 years. Considerations for earlier testing include: 1) All adults should have a baseline fasting cholesterol profile done over the age of 20. 2) If a woman had a pregnancy complicated by diabetes, or other risk factors for diabetes (i.e. obese, family history, polycystic ovary syndrome, etc) then earlier testing may be required.

See Heart Disease, High Cholesterol, Thyroid

Osteoporosis Testing:
The National Osteoporosis Foundation suggests initial screening of the following groups of postmenopausal women: 1) All women over 65 years of age. 2) Postmenopausal women over age 50 with one or more risk factors, including any bone fracture after age 40, fracture related to osteoporosis in a first-degree relative, current smoking, and weight less than 127 pounds. Some experts recommend all postmenopausal women not taking hormone replacement therapy have a baseline screening bone density test performed. The bone density testing should be repeated based upon consultation with your physician.

See Osteoporosis and Calcium w/Vitamin D