Women's Health Guideline Age 50 - 59

Recommended Evaluations For Healthy Women 50 to 59 Years
There are many evaluations that should be performed during this period of adulthood to assure optimal health. The recommendations assume that evaluations and vaccinations during previous decades were kept up to date.

Tests to be performed monthly:

• Breast self exam
• Useful to detect breast cancer

Tests to be performed every 6-12 months:

• Dental exam
• Useful to detect dental caries and gingivitis

Tests to be performed yearly:

• Stool guaiac
• Useful to detect colorectal cancer
• Breast Exam by a physician
• Useful to detect breast cancer
• Mammography
• Useful to detect breast cancer
• Influenza vaccine
• Useful in helping to prevent influenza

Tests to be performed every 1-2 years:

• History and Physical Examination
• Useful to detect heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and complications
• Blood pressure
• Useful to detect hypertension
• Height and Weight
• Useful to calculate BMI and assess cardiovascular disease risk, such as stroke and heart attack.

Tests to be performed every 2 years:

• PAP smear
• Useful to detect cervical cancer

Tests to be performed every 2-3 years:

• EKG
• Useful to detect heart disease

Tests to be performed every 3 years:

• Glaucoma test
• Useful to detect glaucoma

Tests to be performed every 3-5 years:

• Vision test
• Useful to detect a vision problem or retinal disease
• Hearing test
• Useful to detect a hearing problem

Tests to be performed every 4-5 years:

• Cholesterol panel
• Useful to assess cardiovascular disease risk, such as stroke and heart attack

Tests to be performed every 5-10 years:

• Blood glucose
• Useful to detect diabetes
• Complete Blood Count
• Useful to detect anemia
• Urinalysis
• Useful to detect kidney disease
• Choose from one of the following approaches that are used to detect colon cancer:
• Sigmoidoscopy and Barium enema
• Colonoscopy

Tests to be performed every 10 years:

• TD booster
• Useful to prevent tetanus infection

Tests to be performed if recommended by a physician:

• Bone density
• Useful to detect osteoporosis

The above testing recommendations should be considered as minimum screening in those without symptoms. There may be differences in opinion on various test recommendations due to lack of definitive information on each recommended test and to variances in perceived significance of some of the supporting literature.

This information is provided as a general guide only. We urge you to discuss these tests with your personal physician.

Last Updated: Jan 7, 2011 References
Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD
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