This chart shows general guidelines for women. But it's not meant to replace any advice from your doctor. Please use it as a reminder to take care of your personal health needs. And use it as a list of topics you may want to talk about with your doctor.
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Each day
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Each month
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Each year
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Other
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Exercise 30 minutes a day 5 to 7 days a week
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Do an oral cavity self-exam, gums, teeth, lips, tongue
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Ask your doctor if you need an annual exam.
Have a dental checkup once or twice a year.
Have vision and hearing checked annually.
Talk with your doctor about when you should have a mammogram to screen for breast cancer. If you are at average risk, you may start yearly mammograms at age 40.
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Protect yourself from the sun and skin cancer. Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and wear clothes that protect your skin from sun. Don't use tanning beds or sunlamps.
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Do a full-body self-exam for moles or other skin conditions. Have your healthcare provider look at moles every year, or right away for new or changed growths.
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To screen for colorectal cancer, women at average risk starting at age 45 should have:
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
- Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
- CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years, or
- Yearly fecal occult blood test, or
- Yearly fecal immunochemical test every year, or
- Stool DNA test, every 3 years
If you choose a test other than a colonoscopy and have an abnormal test result, you will need to follow-up with a colonoscopy. Screening advice varies among expert groups. Talk with your doctor about which tests are best for you.
Some people should be screened using a different schedule because of their personal or family health history. Talk with your doctor about your health history.
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Limit your saturated fat intake. Saturated fat is found in foods like butter, shortening, and meat. Most fats should come from sources of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, such as fish, nuts, and vegetable oils.
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Be aware of your weight. Ask your doctor what your goal weight should be. They can help you reach that weight.
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Have your blood pressure checked yearly if you're 40 or older or if you are at risk for high blood pressure.
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Have your blood pressure checked every 3 to 5 years if you're 18 to 39 and don't have risk factors for high blood pressure.
Starting at age 45: every 5 years have a full lipid profile test for cholesterol and triglycerides.
Earlier screening is advised if you have risk factors for coronary artery disease.
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Eat sources of protein, such as lean or low-fat meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, and nuts.
Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables daily.
Prioritize whole grains.
Consume 3 cups of fat-free or low-fat milk or equivalent milk products per day.
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Have a pelvic exam and Pap test starting at age 21 to screen for cervical cancer. Talk with your healthcare provider about other testing and screening for the human papillomavirus (HPV).*
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Be aware of your alcohol intake and stress level.
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Get a flu shot.
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Get vaccines as directed by your doctor.
Get a tetanus/diphtheria (td) booster every 10 years.
After age 65: Get the pneumococcal vaccine. This is also advised for people under age 65 who have health problems that increase the risk for serious problems and death.
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* The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises having your first Pap test at age 21. Women ages 21 to 29 should have a Pap test every 3 years. HPV testing alone can be considered for women who are ages 25 to 29, but Pap tests are preferred.
Women ages 30 to 65 have 3 choices for testing:
- Pap test and HPV test every 5 years
- Pap test alone every 3 years
- HPV testing alone every 5 years
It's okay to stop screening for cervical cancer in women age 65 and over who have never had abnormal cervical cells or cervical cancer and have had 2 or 3 negative cancer screenings in a row. Talk with your doctor for any exceptions to these guidelines.