Health checks for women
Health checks for women
Heart health checks
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death for Australian women. You might not know if you are developing heart disease, so regular check-ups are important.
Regular heart health checks (every 2 years) are recommended if you are aged between 45 and 79. People with diabetes should have checks from the age of 35. First Nations people should have checks from the age of 30.
Your doctor will check your
blood pressure
,
cholesterol
and blood sugar levels. They will also discuss your medical and family history, diet,
exercise
,
smoking
,
alcohol consumption
and weight, which may show risks for heart disease.
Diabetes health checks
Diabetes
is a serious condition where the level of sugar (glucose) in your blood is too high. This can affect many parts of the body and lead to serious complications if not managed.
A blood test that checks your level of blood glucose is used to diagnose diabetes.
Normal blood sugar should range from 4 to 7.8 mmol/L. If your blood sugar levels are higher than this, you might have prediabetes or diabetes and may need more tests.
If you are aged over 40, your risk of type 2 diabetes should be checked every 3 years. If you are at risk, your doctor will order a diabetes test to check your blood sugar levels. First Nations people should have diabetes tests every year from the age of 18.
Cervical screening
Cervical cancer
is one of the most preventable cancers. Regular
cervical screening
is the best way to protect yourself from cervical cancer.
You need a cervical screening test if:
you are a woman or person with a cervix
you are aged 25 to 74
and
you have ever had sexual contact with another person, regardless of gender or sexual identity.
You need to have a test every 5 years between the ages of 25 and 74.
Your healthcare provider can do the cervical screening test, or you can collect the sample yourself. Ask your doctor for more information about self-collection.
Sexual health checks
If you are sexually active, it’s important to have regular sexual health checks. Your doctor may:
ask questions about your medical history
ask questions about your sexual history, including the type of sex you’ve had and who you’re having sex with
do an examination of your vulva and vagina (with your consent)
do a
cervical screening
test
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if it’s due
test for
sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
, (done by blood tests, urine tests or swabs).
If you have an STI, your doctor will discuss treatment options with you.
During a sexual health check, you can also talk to your doctor about any sexual problems you are having and ask about contraception.
A sexual health check is recommended if you:
think you have an STI
have a new sexual partner
have symptoms such as unusual discharge, pain or itching
know your partner has an STI
have had unprotected sex
are concerned about your sexual health.
Talk to your doctor about your situation and ask how often you should get checked.
Breast health checks for women
Early detection of
breast cancer
increases the chances for successful treatment. You can follow three important steps to check your breasts:
Get to know
how your breasts look and feel
so you can notice any unusual changes (e.g. a new lump or thickening in the breast).
Report any changes to your doctor as soon as possible.
Have a breast screen (mammogram or
X-ray
) every 2 years between the ages of 50 and 74 to check for breast cancer.
If you have a personal or family history of breast cancer, your doctor will tell you how often you need to be screened.
Bowel cancer health checks for women
Bowel cancer
is a common cancer. If detected early, 99% of cases can be treated successfully.
If you are aged between 45 and 74,
you can get a free bowel screening
test
External Link
every 2 years. This tests for blood in your poo, which may be a sign of bowel cancer. You can do this test at home and post the samples off for testing. You will get your results within 2 weeks.
It’s recommended you do this test every 2 years. If you get a positive result, your doctor may recommend a follow-up test such as a
colonoscopy
.
Bone health checks for women
Osteoporosis
is a disease that causes
bones
to become brittle and break more easily.
A bone health check assesses your risk factors for osteoporosis (e.g. family history and intake of calcium and vitamin D).
Menopause
can increase your risk of osteoporosis. You should have a bone health check every year after menopause. If you are over 70 or at risk of osteoporosis, your doctor might suggest a bone density scan (DXA) to check for osteoporosis.
Immunisation
Immunisations (also called ‘vaccinations’) strengthen your immune system by helping it to recognise and fight specific germs. It’s recommended you:
have an
immunisation review before travelling overseas
have a
flu vaccination
every year
have
COVID-19 vaccination
boosters as recommended.
You can also ask your doctor about any other immunisations that you might need.
Other health checks
Some health checks are recommended regardless of your age. These include:
a skin check every year
an
eye test
every 2 years, or as needed
a
hearing test
if you notice any hearing loss
a
dental check
and clean every year (some dentists recommend every 6 months).
You may need other regular tests not listed here, such as a pre-pregnancy check if you plan to become pregnant. Ask your doctor if there are any other checks you need.
More information
For more detailed information, related resources, articles and podcasts, visit
Jean Hailes for Women’s
Health
External Link
.
Where to get help
GP
(doctor)
External Link
Gynaecologist
External Link
Jean Hailes for Women’s
Health
External Link
Cancer Council
Victoria
External Link
– call
13 11 20