Take Charge of Your Health: Essential Screenings for Women!

As a daughter, sister, aunt, partner and mom, I am all too familiar with the caretaker role. I take care of everyone around me on a daily basis. I make sure that people are fed, taking vitamins, house is clean and everyone gets up and active. I make sure there are yearly wellness checks and twice yearly dental visits for all, but what about me? I barely remember to take a vitamin and exercise? I haven't done that in months! I am too busy taking care of everyone else. Since it's October, there is a big focus on women's health everywhere you look. I have taken notice and decided that I need to make a change. If I want to continue being there for others, I need to take care of myself first! But where to start? A trip to the doctor's office!

ESSENTIAL SCREENINGS FOR WOMEN

1. YEARLY WELLNESS EXAM: Make an annual appointment and visit your doctor. Make it a priority. Most diseases that affect women usually don't have any noticeable symptoms so get to your doctor, at least once a year, and just talk. Let them know what it going on in your life. Your provider can treat any new or ongoing health problems and prevent future ones from developing. 

2. BREAST CANCER SCREENINGS: Even if you self-check, there comes a time in a woman's life where you need to get screened. If you have a yearly wellness visit, the doctor will examine you but one day, the mammogram will come. Women ages 50 to 74 should have biennial breast cancer screenings. Younger than 50? Talk to your doctor about when or if you need to get screened.

3. CERVICAL CANCER SCREENINGS: The Pap test is a simple test that checks for changes in the cervix. If detected early, chances of curing cervical cancer are very high. I had a friend find out in her early 20's that she had cervical cancer. The doctors caught it early, it was cured and she recently had her first baby! Cervical cancer screenings and pelvic exams are encouraged for women 21 to 65 years old, every three years. 

4. DENTAL EXAM: Schedule a dental appointment every 6 months. This is so important for a healthy smile and mouth. These checkups will help keep your teeth and gums healthy! 

There are many more screenings (Bone Density, Colorectal exams, etc.), but at my age, these are the most essential to me! Now it's time to call my doctor and take charge of my health!!

DISCLOSURE: The opinions in this article are my own. I do not work for, or with, any brand mentioned in this article, nor do I have any official relationship with them.  I have a relationship with GigaSavvy, for whom I create original editorial content.