5 health screenings every woman should get

Caring for your health today is a decision your future self will thank you for.
With the everyday demands you face, self-care may often be placed on the back burner, but caring for yourself doesn’t have to be difficult and time consuming. One of the best ways to manage your health is by regularly getting health screenings — some of which can have you in and out within 30 minutes.
At Goshen Health, women’s health is a top priority. We want to do everything we can to help your health climb to the top of your own priority list so you can prevent serious health problems or get concerns treated as soon as possible
Here are some of the screenings women should be getting regularly to maintain their health.
SKIN CANCER SCREENING
Your skin is your body’s first line of defense against just about everything. It provides a protective layer for all of your internal organs, keeps germs from creating infections and transmits sensory signals to your brain.
Because it’s the largest organ of your body, and because it’s constantly exposed to the outside world, it’s very important to care for and tend to your skin. One way you can do that is by checking your skin for changes, such as growths or new spots, and getting a skin cancer screening annually. When doctors are able to catch skin cancer early, it’s easier to treat.
BREAST HEALTH SCREENING
Breast screening mammograms are performed when you have no symptoms. Screening mammograms can help detect breast changes, such as a mass or breast tissue thickening. Mammograms are the only test documented as being able to decrease the chances of dying from breast cancer.
Two x-rays are taken of each breast for most women. Typically, if a woman has breast implants, four x-rays are taken of each breast to assess the breast tissue and implant itself.
If you’re over the age of 40 or are under 40 with a family history of breast cancer, you should get a mammogram once a year. Mammograms only take about 30 minutes and you’ll feel so much better when you can cross getting one off your to-do list this year.
HIGH-RISK BREAST CLINIC
At the Goshen Retreat’s High Risk Breast Clinic, you can get an in-depth look at your breast cancer risk with our Breast Density Risk Assessment program and learn how to reduce risk factors. This program is available to all women interested in their breast cancer risk, regardless of age or family history.
MAMMOGRAMS AND DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES
A diagnostic mammogram is often recommended if a screening mammogram detects something suspicious or if you have a symptom such as a palpable lump.
The radiologist will be able to assess the area of concern through magnification and compression views. To help reduce patient anxiety, every diagnostic mammogram is read by a radiologist right after it is performed, providing you with immediate feedback from an on-duty radiologist.
CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING
Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. Screenings allow for it to be detected as soon as possible.
For your cervical cancer screenings, your doctor may perform a Pap test or an HPV test. A Pap test can catch changes in the cells of the cervix that can lead to cancer if left untreated, while the HPV test checks for signs of the human papillomavirus that also can cause cell changes that can grow into cancer over time.
Women should start getting cervical cancer screenings at age 21 with tests every three years until age 29. Then, women should get a Pap test every three years between ages 30 and 65, HPV tests every five years between ages 30 and 65, and co-testing with a Pap and HPV test every five years.
OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING
It’s possible to have a disease and not even know it — that’s a common scenario for osteoporosis because symptoms aren’t always obvious. Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and prone to easily breaking. A broken bone is a common initial indication of osteoporosis.
Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis, but getting a bone density scan can help you take action. A bone density scan is a kind of X-ray that measures the amount of minerals in the bones so an appropriate treatment plan can be formed.
COLORECTAL SCREENING
A colonoscopy is still the best way to detect precancerous lesions and cancers.
During a colonoscopy, your doctor can check your colon health and remove any growths to greatly reduce your risk of cancer. Age is one of the key risk factors, so if you are age 45 or older, don’t put off getting a screening.
It’s also possible to do a screening at home with one of our screening options for colorectal cancer. We offer fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) and fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) take-home kits.
SCHEDULE YOUR SCREENINGS
For you to maintain your health, it’s also a good idea to have your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly. High blood pressure is an indicator that you could be at risk for serious health concerns and your cholesterol level gives your doctor a fuller picture of your current health.
Ask your doctor about which of these screenings is right for you. If you need a healthcare provider, find a doctor using our easy online search tool. You’ll be glad you did!