Female Health Screening Guidelines, Ages 50 to 64
Immunizations aren't just for kids. Adults need them, too. Find out which ones you need to stay healthy and which screening tests are recommended for those ages 50 to 64 who are female.
Screening tests are key to managing your health. A screening test is done to find problems in people who don't have any symptoms. Screening tests are not used to diagnose. They are used to find out if more testing is needed. The goal may be to find a disease early so it can be treated with more success. Or the goal may be to find a disease early so you can make lifestyle changes.
Below are guidelines for those who are ages 50 to 64. Work with your doctor. Make sure you're up to date on what you need.
Screening | Who needs it | How often |
|---|---|---|
Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes | Those in this age group who are overweight or have obesity, or who had gestational diabetes | At least every 3 years |
Type 2 diabetes | Those in this age group with prediabetes | Every year |
Unhealthy alcohol use | All those in this age group | At routine exams |
Blood pressure | All those in this age group | Once a year if your blood pressure is normal. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg. If your blood pressure is higher than this, follow the advice of your doctor. |
Breast cancer | Those in this age group at average risk. Expert groups vary on their advice so talk with your doctor about your specific situation. | A mammogram is advised every 1 or 2 years. Talk with your doctor about your risk factors. Ask how often you need one.
Everyone should know how their breasts normally look and feel. They should know the benefits and risks of breast cancer screening with mammograms. |
Cervical cancer | All those in this age group, unless they have had a complete hysterectomy | Primary HPV test every 5 years, a cotest (an HPV test with a Pap test) every 5 years, or a Pap test every 3 years. In some cases, you may be able to collect your own HPV test sample and be tested every 3 years.Talk with your doctor about your risks and whether you need screening more often. |
Chlamydia | Those who are sexually active and at higher risk of infection | At yearly routine exams |
Colorectal cancer | Those in this age group at average risk | Talk with your doctor about which test below is right for you:
If you have a test that is not a colonoscopy and have an abnormal test result, you will need a colonoscopy. You may need to be screened more or less often. This is based on personal or family health history. Talk with your doctor. |
Depression | All adults | At routine exams, including everyone who is pregnant or postpartum |
Gonorrhea | Those who are sexually active and who are at higher risk of infection | At yearly routine exams |
Hepatitis C | All adults | At least one time. If you keep having risk (for example, you inject drugs), your doctor may test you again. Anyone who is pregnant should be tested during each pregnancy. |
High cholesterol or triglycerides | All adults |
Talk with your doctor about your risk and how often to get screened. |
HIV | All adults | At least once between the ages of 13 and 64. Those who are at ongoing risk should be screened more often. Talk with your doctor about your risk and how often to be screened. |
Lung cancer | Those in this age group who are in fairly good health, are at higher risk for lung cancer, and who:
Expert groups vary in their advice. Talk with your doctor. | Yearly lung cancer screening with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT). Talk with your doctor. |
Obesity | All adults | At routine exams |
Osteoporosis | Those who are postmenopausal | Talk with your doctor. |
Syphilis | Those who are at higher risk of infection | Talk with your doctor. |
Tuberculosis | Those who are at higher risk of infection | Talk with your doctor. |
Vision | All adults | At least every 1 to 2 years or as directed by your doctor |
Health counseling | Who needs it | How often |
|---|---|---|
BRCA gene mutation testing for breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility | Those who are at higher risk of having this gene mutation. Talk with your doctor. | When your risk is known |
Breast cancer and chemoprevention | Those who are at high risk for breast cancer. Talk with your doctor. | When your risk is known |
Diet and exercise | Those who are overweight or have obesity | When diagnosed, and then at routine exams |
Sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention | Those who are at higher risk of infection. Talk with your doctor. | At routine exams |
Use of tobacco and the health effects it can cause | All adults | Every exam |