Ages 65 Years and Older: Exams and Screening Tests
The following exams and screening tests are recommended for women in this age group:
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Exam/Screening Test
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What and Why
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When
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Bone density screening
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A screening test for osteoporosis
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No more than once every 2 years beginning at age 65 years, unless new health risks develop
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Cervical cancer screening
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A sample of cells is taken from the cervix to look for changes that could lead to cancer (Pap test); this test may be combined with testing for human papillomavirus in women aged 30 years and older
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You and your health care provider may decide to discontinue cervical cancer screening if you have had two negative co-test results in a row or three negative Pap test results in a row within the previous 10 years, with the most recent test performed within the past 5 years, and no history of moderate dysplasia or higher.
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Clinical breast exam
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Breast exam by a health care provider
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Yearly
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Colorectal cancer screening
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Screening tests to look for cancer of the colon and rectum
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Colonoscopy every 10 years (preferred). Other methods include the following tests:
• Yearly fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test with high sensitivity for cancer
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
• Double contrast barium enema test every 5 years
• Computed tomography every 5 years
• Fecal DNA test (interval unknown)
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Diabetes testing
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A test to measure the level of glucose (a sugar that is present in the blood and is the body’s main source of fuel) because high levels could be a sign of diabetes
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Every 3 years
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| Hepatitis C testing |
A test to assess whether a person is infected with hepatitis C virus |
Once for persons born between 1945 and 1965 who are not aware of their infection status |
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Lipid profile assessment
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A test used to assess the risk of heart disease that measures the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood
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Every 5 years
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Mammography
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An X-ray of the breast to look for breast cancer
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Yearly; talk to your health care provider about whether to continue having mammograms if you are aged 75 years or older
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Thyroid-stimulating hormone screening
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A test to check if your thyroid gland is working correctly
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Every 5 years
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Urinalysis
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A test to measure the levels of certain substances, such as glucose, in your urine
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Periodic
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Next: Ages 65 Years and Older: Immunizations
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