March is Women’s Health Month, and one of the best ways to take care of your long-term health is through prevention. We spoke with physicians from Pembroke Pines to Port St. Lucia to gather a comprehensive list of health checks for women at every age and stage of life.
Dr. Christopher Chang, a renowned physician in allergy and immunology at Joe DiMaggio Hospital in Pembroke Pines, emphasized the importance of looking beyond the checklist. If you are experiencing symptoms of recurrent infections such as pneumonia or unusual infections, further testing or referrals to a specialist may be necessary.
Regular health checks and screenings are essential for maintaining good health at every stage of a woman’s life. For women aged 18-39, it is recommended to undergo cervical cancer screening, PAP and HPV testing, screening for gonorrhea and chlamydia, screening for contraception or contraception counseling, and receive recommended immunizations.
For women aged 40-65, important tests include breast cancer screening, colorectal cancer screening, glaucoma screening, melanoma screening, lung cancer screening, and osteoporosis screening. These tests can help detect potential health issues early on and prevent them from becoming more serious problems later on.
Women over 65 should consider a fall risk assessment and fall prevention program as part of their regular health checkup. Other important tests they should undergo include hearing screening, osteoporosis screening, memory loss evaluation